General
cash or check
What does cash or check mean?
A playful framing of romance in the money metaphors flappers loved.
"With these two, every goodnight ended in cash or check."
Origin
A 1920s flapper slang phrase that turned kissing into a banking transaction, asking 'cash' (a kiss now) or 'check' (a kiss later). It belongs to the same money-and-romance wordplay as 'the bank's closed.'
Frequently asked questions
What does 'cash or check' mean in flapper slang?
It was a flirty question about kissing: 'cash' meant a kiss right now, 'check' meant one saved for later.
Where did 'cash or check' come from?
From 1920s flapper slang, part of a playful set of banking metaphors young women used in their romantic banter.
Is 'cash or check' related to 'the bank's closed'?
Yes, both come from the same jazz-age habit of framing kissing and affection in money terms.
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