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InspirationIllustration

Quirky illustrations visualise slang words used to describe money from around the world

Dosh, quids, sheets, squids – whichever reference to money you prefer, it's undeniable that us British are not short of options when it comes to talking about our cash. However, it seems we're not the only nationality to have conjured up creative alternatives to describing the contents of our wallets.

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Illustration of a person in a yellow shirt wrestling with a pink squid at a market stall, with text reading "Squids (British) Pound Coins

In a recent project for giffgaff Money, award-winning British illustrator, Paul Blow, created a series of eye-catching illustrations for seven entertaining slang words used for money around the world.

With most people having to deal with international currency at some point, either through business or on holiday, it's helpful to know that there are many different terms used to express money – and some of them are utterly bizarre.

If you find yourself in Russia, then be sure to mention 'cabbage'. In Spain, it's 'pasta'. And in Australia...'lobster'. Check out the best below. Or you can discover more of Paul's work at paulblow.com.

Two men in suits at a table with a roulette wheel and stacks of money, with a large green cabbage, illustrating the Russian slang term for cash
Illustration of tiny figures carrying large blocks of cheddar cheese in and around an open safe, labelled "Cheddar (American) Large Amounts of Money
Cartoon man holding empty wallet surrounded by mosquitoes, illustrating the German slang term "Mosquitoes" for small amounts of money
Illustration of a child spilling cereal from a box, with text explaining "Cereal (Norwegian) Slang for 'Change'
Man and woman juggling pink lobsters against a yellow background, illustrating the Australian slang term for money on a $20 note
Illustration of a bowl overflowing with yellow pasta noodles next to a blue car with a sold sign, representing the Spanish slang term pasta for money
A green toad holding a long receipt or note labelled as Danish slang for money, illustrated by Paul Blow for giffgaff Money
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