Pound is a term that represents the official currency for many countries, including England, Lebanon, Egypt, and more. On the other hand, Quid is an unofficial expression that basically works as a nickname for Pound.
What is Pound?
"Pound" is a title for currency in many European nations like the UK, Egypt, Lebanon, and more. It is known to be one of the oldest currencies of the world that are still in use. Denoted by the symbol £, Pound in England is also called the Pound Sterling. As per the reports of Exchange Rate Forecasting 2019, Pound Sterling is the 4th most held reserve currency in the entire world.
What is Quid?
With Quid, you're looking at the unofficial nickname for Pound. In other words, it is a slang term to denote the currency Pound. The value for one Quid is equal to 100 pence (plural for the term penny)
Differences Between Pound and Quid
Meaning
Pound presents itself as the official currency for many countries. On the contrary, Quid is a slang term that is used to signify Pound.
Origin
The term Pound is believed to have originated from the Latin word Poundus, while the same for Quid is less known. Indeed there exists a story around Quid coming into effect.
It is said that 'Quid' is derived from an Irishman who used to speak Gaelic. He would usually refer to money as "my money" or "mo chuid" in his language. Later, the word "mo chuid" transformed to "chuid," and then to "Quid." Reportedly, English soldiers adopted this term and started using "Quid' for 'pound."
Symbol
An epsilon £ denotes Pound. There is no official symbol for Quid.
Usage
Pound is used in general events, no matter if it's official or informal. The scenes with Quid are entirely different. Being a slang term, Quid is used during informal events only.
Emergence
The emergence of Pound is supposed to be somewhere around the 8th century. In contrast, the term Quid emerged in the late half of the 17th century.
Slang Terms
There are many slang terms for Pound. This includes sterling, smackeroo, sovereign, and more. Quid, on the other hand, is slang itself.
Comparison Chart: Pound Vs Quid
Parameters | Pound | Quid |
Meaning | Currency | Slang term for Pound |
Origin | Latin word Poundus | Indefinite |
Symbol | £ | Unavailable |
Usage | Official/unofficial | Informal |
Emergence | 8th Century | 17th Century |
Slang Terms | sterling, smackeroo, sovereign | Itself a slang term |
Similarities: How is Pound Similar to Quid
Although both Pound and Quid are pretty much different in many aspects, the element that makes both the terms sit under the same room is the fact that both are used to denote currency for many countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Quid the same as a Pound?
Quid is a slang term for the Pound. With that being said, we can say that a Quid is the same as a Pound. However, it is vital to keep in mind that, from origin to emergence, everything sets both the terms apart.
Conclusion
And with that, we're done talking about the elements that draw a line between Pound and Quid. We hope you'll not have any issues setting them apart in the future. In case your mind happens to bear confusion of any sort, make sure to let us know in the comment section below.