Phrase Origins: Cash on the Nail

The phrase "cash on the nail" sounds like it comes from something dangerous because of a hammer hitting a nail. It sounds like a threat, "put the cash on the nail, or I'll hit you with this hammer." At least that's what I imagine when I hear that phrase.

It could also sound like where somebody puts cash when paying a prostitute because of how they often wear the long, fake fingernails. However, I still imagine the first scenario. When it comes to the phrase origin of "cash on the nail," neither is correct.

However, before getting to the phrase origin of "cash on the nail," the meaning needs to be known. That meaning is clear. It is used to mean "to pay immediately."

Now that the meaning is clear, there is a story that some brass pillars in English cities are called nails. It was common that business deals were sealed on these. However, even those most etymology books list this as the phrase origin, it is likely that the brass pillars got the name "nails" from the phrase "cash on the nail."

The first time that the suggestion was made was in 1870, but the first time the phrase was used was in 1596. It was printed in Haue with you to Saffron-Walden by Thomas Nashe. He wrote, "Tell me, haue you a minde to anie thing in the Doctors Booke! speake the word, and I will help you to it vpon the naile."

The suggestion was even made over 100 years after it was made clear that "on the nail" meant immediately. This was done in 1632. "And it comes timely; For, besides a payment on the nail for a manor late purchased by my master, his young daughters are ripe for marriage " was written by Philip Massinger in The City-Madame .

What is likely is that it comes from previous European versions of the phrase. The first is from Anglo-Norman in the 14 ^th century. It was, "Payer ser le ungle" and meant to pay immediately. However, "ungle" did derive from the Latin "ugula" which meant "nail" or "claw." Other languages used similar phrases, some of which used words that meant "nail" that also derived from the Latin word "ungula."

"Cash on the barrel" is a related phrase, but it is probably literal as barrels were often used as impromptu counters.

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Source:

Martin, G. (n.d.). Cash on the nail. The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases . Retrieved June 28, 2011, from http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cash-on-the-nail.html