On Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:38:07 -0600, Michel Boucher wrote:

> koko > wrote in
> news >
>>>how much for an actual shave and a haircut?
>>
>> Shave and a haircut...two bits.
>
> At the time, that would be very expensive, the 2 sols 6 deniers coin (being
> the equivalent of 30 deniers) which was later reused from a half-crown (in
> 1857) to serve as a 25 cent piece. Its 30 pence piece (the pre-
> revolutionary French and the English until 1971 used virtually the same
> duodecimal and vingitesimal monetary system) was called "un trente sous" (a
> thirty cent piece). The moniker was reused to refer to a 25 cent piece in
> Québec as in "T'as tsi in trente sous?" (Godda quodder?) and it can still
> be heard every now and then.

one thing i always wanted to do (but was too lazy) was hang out by the
subway station and ask people if they have a quarter. when they'd say
'no,' i'd say well 'here, have one' and give them one of mine.

your pal,
blake