Tech & Biz

McDonald's Criticized For Incorrect Brit Slang: Bob Not a Pound

by Paulette Sedgwick | January 26, 2010 at 01:00 pm

834 views | 7 Recommendations | 4 comments

McDonald's advertising department failed to investigate English slag before promoting it in its new advertisment.The ad is about the new pound saver meal and begins "The pound, also known as a bob."

A 'bob' is a term for a shilling, or five pence, and of far less value than a pound. Some customers have asked McDonald's to correct the advert or withdraw it, or allow them to purchase items on the Saver Menu for a true bob, or five pence.

Their spokesperson told Sky News, "Although a 'bob' was formerly used as a slang term for the shilling until the introduction of decimalization in 1971, research has shown it is now more commonly used as slang for a pound or money in general.As with many words in the English language, the technical meaning of words can change over time and although the word remains in use, what it signifies may develop into something else.''

A quid is English slang for a pound. The term 'bob' is not commonly used now, but is still used as multiples of 5 pence as in '5 bob' for 25 pence and '10 bob' for 50 pence.

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Sputnic

at 14:03 on January 26th, 2010

Dang

mudricky

at 14:12 on January 26th, 2010

I said "throw us over 10 bob" while playing pool yesterday...

So my mate threw me a 50 pence

bravo777 (not verified)

at 05:39 on January 27th, 2010

What the hell is 'slag' supposed to mean here? Proper use of the English language?

Ian Richardson (not verified)

at 11:07 on January 27th, 2010

"The dollar, also known as a dime". "Although a 'dime' was formerly used as a slang term for 10 cents until the introduction of inflation in 1971, research has shown it is now more commonly used as slang for a dollar or money in general. "As with many words in American English, the technical meaning of words can change over time and although the word remains in use, what it signifies may develop into something else'' If you hear "Buddy, can you spare a dime" the bum is probably asking for more than ten cents, don't you know. Let's ask McD's if it works this way round as well. PS: please, in the interests of decent language, correct "there" to "their" throughout your piece - we might as well get our grammar right for our Americn cousins