Collying

/ˈkɒliɪŋ/ verb

Definition

The act of engaging in small-scale money changing or dealing with coins.

Etymology

Present participle of the verb 'colly', derived from Greek 'kollybos'. Used historically to describe the occupational activity of money changers in ancient and medieval commerce.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare's contemporary audiences would have understood 'collying' as a somewhat shady financial practice—the early version of today's currency exchange shops taking a cut!

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