Are Pounds Sterling referred to as squid (in addition to quid)
Commonly pounds are called quid,
but I've come across references to pounds as
squid
Is that a typo or actually a common usage?
Example from Football forums:
It is believed they have offered them over a million squid to take on the role and gave them till this morning to give them there decision. Allardyce or O'niell ???.
Solution 1:
This is quite common in the North East, but only among the common (or, let's say the 'down-to-earth', or street-smart, whichever you prefer) - particularly the youth. There are others, too, such as:
- bin lid
- nicker
- cherry
Money-slang also extends to multiples:
- score = £20
- pony = £25
- ton = £100
- monkey = £500
And so on; I'd put my money on what you saw being intentional, rather than accidental.
Solution 2:
I've heard it occasionally as a joke. I don't think it is (currently) any more than that - though it might become so, in the way that "guesstimate" seems to be overtaking "estimate".
Solution 3:
I don't consider it common, but it's certainly becoming more so. Robert Peston, Sunday City Editor of the Daily Telegraph, has used it in print at least a couple of times:
...various bits of a broken-up plane that could be yours or mine for just a few thousand squid. (source)
If there is a few thousand squid to be reclaimed, I should be able to remember that no one at the bank ever warned me that market interest rates might actually fall. (source)