simon

• Simon

Uncertain. One theory suggests derivation from a joke based on the bible verse Acts 9:43,^[1] rendered as “Peter lodged with Simon a tanner”, a pun on the meanings of lodge (“stay in a place; put away money”).^[2] Partridge suggests that this not possible given the dates, however, and suggests instead derivation from some unknown person’s name.^[3] Attested from the late 17th century, with synonymous tanner attested from the 18th.^[3] Compare also simony, from a different biblical figure, Simon Magnus.

The “US dollar” sense derives from the earlier “sixpence”, perhaps influenced by the $ symbol.^[4]

• enPR: sīʹmən, IPA^(key): /ˈsaɪmən/
• Rhymes: -aɪmən

• Audio (General Australian):

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simon (plural simons)

1. (slang, British, dated) Sixpence coin. [17th-19th C.]
2. (slang, US, archaic) A US dollar. [19th C.]

• simoleon
• simony

• simon-pure

• Minos, minos, omnis