quarter

Two bits. This in turn comes from the "pieces of eight" famed

in pirate movies - Spanish silver crowns that could be broken

into eight pie-slice-shaped "bits" to make change. Early in

American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a

dollar, so each of these "bits" was considered worth 12.5

cents. Usage: rare.

Synonyms: tayste, crumb, quad.

See also nickle, nibble, byte, dynner.

[Jargon File]

(1995-01-25)