The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-17
MONEY TO BURN.
One Version of the Origin Of Sian,
Phrase Now Very Popular.

fnrASe NOW very L
Slang words or phrases, many of them
destined to become parts of language
proper. are more difficult to trace to their
origin than the world-old words which
have come to US through the changes of a
score of languages. Some of them are the
chance expression of happy thought;
some are resurrections in strange form of
obsolete speech; some are mistakes or slips
of the tongue made in public places which
have sprung into sudden popularity by
virtue of the amusement which they
created; others are combinations of other
slang, such as the word kidnap, which is
merely an abbreviation of the phrase to
nab Clay hold off kid (child), says the
Boston Herald.
mined effort to force new word into the
language, as in the case of the word quiz,
which, on wager in Edinburgh, was put
in the mouths of all men simply by max
ing it up and causing it to be posted on all
the billboards of the city. Still others of
these foundlings of language are the out
come of an originally legitimate descrip-
to acquire. meaning greatly broadened.
Of this class is the phrase money to
burn" now so common.
/ The origin of this phrase, or at least one
origin of it, was consultation over bust
ness transaction held in Rochester some
years ago, according to a writer in the
New York Sun. One of the parties in
terested. was Mr.. F., prominent mer-
chant of that city, who was as we'll known
for his interests in various charities as for
his sound Judgment and business ability.
To these qualities he Joined a simple.
straightforward nature and hearty dis
like of all ostentation.
To Mr.. F. there came Smith SON, a pro-
moter, with scheme in which he had in
terested many of the wealthy men of
Western New York, and in which he very
much desired Mr.. F.'s support. The mer-
chant listened to the promoters rather
bombastic description of the future sure to
result from the carrying out of his
project, and offered him cigar Smithson
twirled the cigar between his fingers as he
outlined the profits which would accrue to
Mr.. F. it he would invest certain sum.
"You will need large sum. of money to
start with, observed the merchant.
"Oh, yes, replied the promoter, in an
off-hand way. 81 expect to put in a big
proportion on my own account"
''Then you have enough now to begin
with 2" asked Mr.. f., extending a lighted
match to his visitor to light his cigar The
visitor declined the match with gesture.
and, putting his hand in his pocket, pulled
out handful of bills, one of which he
twisted and thrust into the raslioht
Then he lit his cigar, held the bill until it
was burned down, and tossed it into an
ash-receiver.
You see how much money counts with
US, said he grandiloquently.
The merchant rose. THAT was a sic
bill, wasn't it?' he asked.
II believe SO" replied the promoter.
/ "Been in Rochester long?" asked Mr.. r.
mot very" said the promoter. "Why n
'This is a hard winter" returned the
merchant. "Many people are without suf.
fcient food and clothing. Our HOSPITALS
and charitable organizations are crowded
and in debt. And with these things 90
you consider money no more than to make
foolish and wicked display with it. Yon
can do no business with me. bid Won
good-night!''
The crestfallen promoters expostulations
were courteously but firmly put aside, and
he left the place. When it became known
that Mr. f. had refused to invest in his
project others Withdrew, and the plan fell
through. A year later Mr.. +. was dining
in one of the hotels in this city when
Smitkson entered with gentleman whom
Mr.. f. and the others with him knew.
This gentleman brought Smithson over to
the circle and introduced him. When he
came to Mr.. F. the merchant said:
1--WE need no introduction. / know Mr..
Smithson. He has money to burn"
1t SO happened that the promoter had
only few days before came in possession
of large sum, as number of the men
| present knew, and the phrase she has
/ money to burn struck them at once