Definition

Noun (informal, plural): * Money; cash. A slang term referring to currency or wealth, often with a connotation of physical cash or ready funds.

Usage

• The word "shekels" is used informally, often in a lighthearted, humorous, or slightly irreverent way to talk about money.
• It is almost always used in the plural form ("shekels").
• It can imply a tangible amount of money needed or spent.

Examples

• "I'd love to go on vacation, but I don't have the shekels for it right now."
• "He made a lot of shekels from that business deal."
• "How much will this repair cost me? I need to know how many shekels to bring."

Advanced Usage

• The term originates from the shekel, the ancient and modern basic unit of currency in Israel. Its use in informal English leverages this association with a specific, tangible coinage to refer to money in general.
• It can sometimes carry a slight implication of money earned through commerce or shrewd dealing.

Variants and Related Words

• Shekel (noun): The official currency unit of Israel. (e.g., "The price is fifty shekels.")
• Bucks (noun, informal): Another common slang term for dollars/money.
• Dough (noun, informal): Slang for money.
• Moolah (noun, informal): Slang for money.

Synonyms

• Cash
• Funds
• Dough (slang)
• Moolah (slang)
• Bucks (slang)
• Lucre (often with a negative connotation of greed)

Idioms

• To rake in the shekels: To earn a large amount of money, especially quickly or easily.
  • "Their new app is very popular; they're raking in the shekels."

Noun

1. informal terms for money