How Much Is a Score in Money?

The term “a score” is a bit of old British slang used to refer to the monetary sum of £20. This slang phrase dates back over a century and has its origins in criminal circles, where thieves and conmen would use “score” as a shorthand way of referring to stolen money or cash.

So when you hear a classic London character in an old film mention something about getting “a nice little score,” they’re talking about getting their hands on £20 through some less than legal means.

A Breakdown of What “A Score” Means in the Slang Lexicon

To break it down clearly:

• A score directly refers to and means £20
• It is not used to refer to any other monetary amounts
• It’s a very specific bit of old British crime slang, not general slang

Some examples of how it’s used:

• “I made a nice little score last night” = stole/obtained £20
• “Can you spot me a score mate?” = asking to borrow £20

So in both traditional and contemporary British slang, if someone talks about getting “a score,” having “a score,” or needing “a score,” they mean £20 and £20 only.

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Why Is It Called a “Score”?

There are a few theories about why this slang term emerged:

• Possibly from the archaic definition of “score” meaning 20 (like in sports scores)
• May come from the history of tallying or keeping score of money, where each line would be worth £20

The exact origins are unknown, but it certainly relates to the theme of quantities and counting.

Criminals keeping a tally of their ill-gotten cash may have referred to each £20 as “a score.” And the term simply endured over time as a bit of old London crime slang.

A Score By Any Other Name – Nicknames for £20

“Score” is not the only Cockney rhyming slang phrase that’s an alternative nickname for £20. Here are some other classic London slang terms:

• Bobby – From Robert Peel, the Home Secretary pictured on £20 notes
• Pony – Rhyming slang for “twenty”
• Quid – Slang for one pound, so twenty quid = £20

As you can see, the London dialect shows a lot of creativity when it comes to money slang. Cockneys have a rich history of colorful terms and phrases for pounds and pence.

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The Origins of “Score” in Old London Slang and Crime Circles

As mentioned, no one knows the exact origin, but “score” emerged as a shorthand term for £20 in the 19th and early 20th century criminal underworld in London.

The early British gangs in London’s East End would have used the term amongst themselves in reference to:

• Money stolen in armed robberies
• Sums conned out of people through various scams
• Payoffs and bribes
• Money brought in from underground gambling and vice operations

So “score” has its roots in the illegal dealings of London’s early mobsters and gangsters.

What’s a Good “Score”? – Examples of Money Sums

If a London gangster in the 1900s managed to steal, swindle, or otherwise unlawfully obtain £20, they would brag to their fellow crooks about making a good “score” last night.

• But what would be considered a really impressive, massive, or hugely successful criminal score?

Here are some examples of epic “scores” that would have been the talk of the London underworld:

• £500 – Enough to buy a house at the time
• £25,000 – Life-changing sum equal to winning the lottery today

As you can see, a “score” refers specifically to £20. But creative cockneys and English criminals have come up with many more colorful terms and rhyming slang over the decades to refer to pound notes.

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In Conclusion – Why “Score” Endured in British Slang

To summarize, “a score” is an old bit of British crime slang meaning £20, also referred to as a “Bobby.”

The term has its origins in 19th century criminal circles in London, where “score” was a shorthand way for thieves and swindlers to refer to stolen money.

It endures as a nod to London’s gritty history with organized crime families and mobsters who spoke in rhyming slang.

So next time you hear a British gangster in an old film talking about getting a “nice little score” you’ll know they came into some £20 notes through less than legal means!

Let me know if you have any other questions about this bit of British slang and its meanings!