Why Is 25 Pounds Called a Pony? The Surprising Origin of British Slang

Ever heard someone say they paid a pony for something and wondered if they were talking about an animal? In the UK, saying "a pony" doesn’t mean a small horse-it means £25. It’s one of those quirks of British culture that sounds absurd until you dig into its history. And no, it has nothing to do with shelving. But if you’ve ever stood in a pub wondering why the bar tab came to exactly £25, now you’ll know why people call it a pony.

Where Did "Pony" Come From?

The term "pony" for £25 traces back to the late 18th or early 19th century, likely rooted in cockney rhyming slang. Rhyming slang works by replacing a word with a phrase that rhymes with it, then dropping the rhyming part. For example, "trouble and strife" means "wife," and "apples and pears" means "stairs." But "pony" doesn’t follow that pattern-it’s more likely a direct borrowing from military slang.

British soldiers stationed in India during colonial times picked up the term from Indian rupee notes. The 25-rupee note, often printed with a picture of a pony, became known as a "pony" among troops. When they returned home, they brought the term with them. Over time, it stuck in British working-class circles, especially in London and the Midlands.

Unlike many slang terms that fade, "pony" survived because it filled a real need. £25 was a common amount-enough for a good meal, a weekend away, or a down payment on a second-hand bike. Saying "I owe you a pony" was quicker than saying "twenty-five quid." It had rhythm, it had character, and it felt like belonging to a club.

Why Not Other Animals?

British slang loves animals as money stand-ins. A "monkey" is £500. A "grand" is £1,000. A "score" is £20. But why did the pony stick for £25? One theory suggests it’s because £25 was the standard bonus given to soldiers for completing a tour of duty. That amount became so routine, it got its own nickname.

There’s also a less likely story involving a 19th-century London banknote. Some claim a £25 note once featured a pony, but no such note ever existed. The real link is the Indian rupee. The British East India Company issued notes with animal imagery, and the 25-rupee note was the only one consistently shown with a pony. Soldiers didn’t need a visual-they just needed a shorthand.

Compare that to "monkey" for £500. That one came from a painting of a monkey on a 500-rupee note in India. The pattern is clear: British troops took the slang from colonial currency and turned it into everyday language.

How Common Is "Pony" Today?

You won’t hear "pony" used much in banks or official documents. But in pubs, betting shops, and among older generations, it’s still alive. Ask a bookie for a £25 bet, and they’ll nod and say, "Pony on the nose, mate." Ask a granddad for change, and he might say, "I’ll give you a pony and a tenner."

Younger Brits are less likely to use it. With digital payments, cash is fading. But slang doesn’t die-it migrates. You’ll still hear "pony" in films set in London, in football chants, and in songs by artists like The Kinks or The Streets. It’s part of the DNA of British working-class speech.

And it’s not just about money. "Pony" is a cultural marker. Saying it means you understand the rhythm of British history-the empire, the army, the pubs, the unspoken rules. It’s a tiny piece of identity wrapped in a word.

Other Animal Money Slang in the UK

The pony isn’t alone. British slang has a whole zoo of cash terms:

• Monkey = £500 (from the 500-rupee note with a monkey)
• Grand = £1,000 (from American slang, popularized in the UK post-WWII)
• Score = £20 (from the old term "score" meaning twenty, dating back to medieval times)
• Bob = 1 shilling (pre-decimal currency, still used by older people)
• Fiver = £5 (still widely used)
• Tenner = £10 (also still common)

What’s interesting is that while "pony" and "monkey" came from India, "grand" and "fiver" came from America or plain English. The UK absorbed slang from everywhere and made it its own.

Why Does This Matter?

It’s easy to dismiss slang as silly. But language like this tells us how culture moves. When British soldiers returned from India, they didn’t just bring back souvenirs-they brought back words. Those words survived because they were useful. They were fun. They created a sense of belonging.

Today, when you hear "pony," you’re not just hearing a number. You’re hearing history. You’re hearing the echo of empire, of military life, of pub conversations that never changed. It’s a reminder that money isn’t just numbers on a screen-it’s stories, symbols, and shared understanding.

Is "Pony" Used Outside the UK?

Not really. You won’t hear "pony" in Australia, Canada, or the US. Even in Ireland, where English is spoken, the term is rare. It’s uniquely British. That’s part of its charm. It’s a linguistic artifact-something you can’t learn from a textbook. You have to hear it in context.

If you ever visit a London pub and hear someone say, "I’ll buy you a pony," don’t panic. They’re not offering you a horse. They’re offering you a drink-or maybe a £25 bet. Either way, you’re now in the loop.

What About Other Odd Money Terms?

There are dozens. "A brick" means £1,000 in some circles. "A quid" is £1. "A nicker" is £1. "A fiddle" is £500 in old criminal slang. But none have the same charm as "pony."

It’s short. It’s cute. It’s got history. And it’s still alive. That’s why, even in 2026, when people say "pony," they’re not just talking about money-they’re talking about Britain itself.