Did you know? 🔍The expression "hard cash"
The term "hard cash" dates back to a time when coins were made from precious metals, such as gold and silver. At that time, it was common to check their authenticity by weighing them. ⚖️
The term "sounding" refers to the characteristic sound of metal coins when struck or thrown on a hard surface. If the sound was "right", it indicated that the coin was indeed made of precious metal and not a fake.
As for "trébuchante" , it comes from the use of a specific scale, called a "trébuchet", which allowed the exact weight of the piece to be checked . If the piece was too light or too heavy, it was immediately suspected of being falsified.
💬 Did you know that this method was essential to avoid counterfeiting? Today, even if the expression remains common, it recalls a time when each transaction was closely scrutinized!
Sources:
Illustration:
