Brass razoo

All you want to know about Brass razoo

Brass razoo is an Australian term that arose as soldiers' slang in World War I. It is heard often in the statement "I haven't got a brass razoo" when someone is out of money. There is no actual thing called a brass razoo, though some speculate that the term arises from Egyptian or Indian currency. One source describes it "an Indian coin, famous for being the most worthless coin ever issued."[1] The term itself is not a neologism, but has been part of colloquial vocabulary for almost a century, and has its own reference in the Oxford English Dictionary as "a non-existent coin of trivial value".[2]

Etymologists have disputed and considered theories of the origins of the phrase, but in the end most agree with the statement, "origin unknown". Numerous lexicographers have concluded the same.[3]

Origin

"Brass razoo" is believed to have origins with the phrase "not a sou", a phrase meaning "no money" or "lack of wealth". "Brass" has also been used as a slang term for money, so the connection between the similar-sounding phrases is understandable.[2]

Eric Partridge, in his Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, suggests that "razoo" is based on the Māori word, "rahu". In his 1997 book, Dictionary of New Zealand English, Harry Orsman makes a similar conjecture, though he seems more confident in his belief.[3]

As The Washington Post reported in December 2007, a Washington, D.C. firm established to facilitate social networking for philanthropy has taken its name from the New Zealand meaning of razoo for a small coin.[4]

Another possible origin for the phrase would be during World War I, when the phrase was said to be used by Australian soldiers serving in France, and considered a joking reference used between Australian infantry and American troops. It was based on the Yankee "raspberry" also called a "razoo", a blurt or mouth-sound made to sound like a fart.[3]

References

  1. ^ J. Pascal. "Value and price". OzEmail. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  2. ^ a b Kel Richards. "Wordwatch: Brass razoo". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  3. ^ a b c Frederick Ludowyk (April 2000). "Brass Razoo: Is it but a breath of wind?". Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANDC). Australian National University. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  4. ^ Zachary A. Goldfarb (December 17, 2007, Page D01). "District Firm Razoo Joins Other Web Site Builders Trying to Reinvent How People Give Money to Charity". The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass_razoo"

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