Street
queer
What does queer mean?
In underworld cant 'the queer' is counterfeit currency. To 'push the queer' is to pass fake bills.
"He got nailed passing the queer at a racetrack window."
Origin
British/American cant, 18th–19th century; 'queer' = false/worthless.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'queer' mean in underworld slang?
It means counterfeit money. 'The queer' is fake currency, and to 'push the queer' is to pass forged bills.
Where does this sense of 'queer' come from?
It comes from 18th- and 19th-century British and American cant, where 'queer' meant false or worthless.
How do you use 'queer' this way?
In the context of forgery: 'He got nailed passing the queer at a racetrack window.'
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