subs. (common).—Generic for money: see RHINO.
TO TIP THE BRADS = to pay; TO SHELL OUT (q.v.).
1819. J. H. VAUX, A Vocabulary of the Flash Language. BRADS, halfpence; also money in general.
1821. W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, i., 4. [TO] TIP THE BRADS—and down with the dust, is to be at once good, great, handsome, accomplished, and everything that’s desirable—money, money, is your universal good,—only get into Tip Street, Jerry.
1855. Punch, XXIX., 10. [Cf., Punch’s suggestion for a ‘fast’ partner in banks who should enquire of customers]. ‘Will you take it in flimsies, or will you have it all in tin? Come, look sharp, my downy one, and I’ll fork out the BRADS like bricksy wicksy.’
1868. BREWER, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, s.v. ‘B Flats.’ Four B’s, essential for social success.—Blood, brains, brass, BRADS [money].—American.
1888–9. PAYN, The Eavesdropper, II., ii. They used such funny terms: ‘BRADS’ and ‘dibbs’ … at last it was borne in upon me that they were talking about money.
18[?]. The Sporting Times. Get anything? Not a BRAD, s’welp my never.
