subs. (common).—Generic for money: especially ready money: see RHINO. [There are several suggested derivations; (1) blond = sandy or golden colour, and of that a parallel may be found in BROWN or BROWNS = halfpence; (2) in allusion to the BLUNT rim of coins; (3) from Mr. John BLUNT, the chairman of the South Sea Bubble]. Hence BLUNTED = possessed of money; in comfortable circumstances; WARM (q.v.).
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4 ed.), 11. [List of cant words.] BLUNT, money.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, ii., 3. (Holding out his right hand for the money, and keeping the porter away with the other) Bob. That’s your sort; give us hold on it. (Takes Mace’s empty hand.) Vy, vhere? Mace. (Keeping the porter back.) Vy, here. Bob. Oh, you are afeard of the BLUNT, are you? Mace. No, it ain’t that; only I’m no schollard—so I alvays takes the BLUNT vith von hand, and gives the pot vith t’other. It saves chalk and prewents mistakes, you know.
1825. C. M. WESTMACOTT, The English Spy, 255. Most noble cracks, and worthy cousin trumps—permit me to introduce a brother of the togati, fresh as a new-blown rose, and innocent as the lilies of St. Clement’s. Be unto him, as ye have been to all gownsmen from the beginning, ever ready to promote his wishes, whether for spree or sport, in term or out of term—against the Inquisition and their bull-dogs—the town raff and the bargees—well BLUNTED or stiver cramped—against dun or don—nob or big wig—so may you never want a bumper of bishop.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, xxxix. ‘It’s all very well,’ said Mr. Sikes; ‘but I must have some BLUNT from you to-night.’ ‘I haven’t a piece of coin about me,’ replied the Jew.
1878. Notes and Queries, 5 S., x., 315. BLUNT … is also a well-known slang term for money.
1882. Punch, vol. LXXXII., 147, col. 2. ‘The New Almacks.’ ‘It appears, my dear Jerry,’ said the Corinthian, ‘that anybody can enter here who chooses to “sport his BLUNT”’—that is, to pay.
