Money For Rope

What does this mean?

Re: Money For Rope

Hi Paula - I always thought the expresion was "Money for old rope" meaning selling something (for money) that was basically worthless (i.e. old rope)

In the days of sailing ships ropes were used a lot and had to be in perfect condition or else the sails might collapse or even the main mast break and fall over, so when in port and needing ropes no one would pay for 'old ropes'

Well that's my theory anyway

Re: Money For Rope

I agree Losos.

Re: Money For Rope

Thanks Harvey

Re: Money For Rope

I think it was something to do with the hangman-but yet to google

Re: Money For Rope

Having googled there are a couple of ones I can believe-the hangman and the workhouse,http://english.stackexchange.com/que...and-derivation

Re: Money For Rope

All I know is a lot of people make a lot of cash, indulging in it, when you try to "Jump on the Bandwagon" they just tell you to "Get Knotted".

Re: Money For Rope

I know the workhouses used to make people untwist old rope so it could be re-used, it used to make their hands bleed!

Re: Money For Rope

I believe it comes from either literally selling sections of undamaged ropes which were too short for naval use

OR

Old ropes which were sold and unpicked in prison or the workhouse to make caulking for the decks of sailing ships.

In either case, it was making money from something relatively worthless.