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General

scratch

What does scratch mean?

Welfare or dole money. Old Liverpool term for state benefits — 'on the scratch' means signing on. Used matter-of-factly, no shame attached.

"He's been on the scratch since the warehouse shut."

Frequently asked questions

What does scratch mean in slang?
Scratch is dole money — the weekly benefits cheque.
How do you use scratch in a sentence?
"I'll sort you out once my scratch comes in."
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.