A CURIOUS EXPRESSION: PIN MONEY - DINERO PARA ALFILERES

 

Pins, alfileres, are no longer a household word and are seldom seen around the house. Sewing, tailoring, and mending clothes are things of the past. Some expressions, however, keep them alive in quaint phraseological units. Today, I am referring to two parallel expressions in English and Spanish  using pins and alfileres: "Pin money" and "dinero para alfileres." Cash to buy pins and alfileres? This may be regarded as a sexist, machista expression because it refers to the small amount of money a husband would give his wife for her personal expenses, a sort of pocket money or allowance. Never heard of it? Worry not. Let me document it with citations to put your mind at ease.

— “Toma para alfileres, Casilda.” Emilio Larreta, La gloria de don Ramiro, 1902. Arg. || “… a cuánto ascendería el pecunio para alfileres, porque su hija debía tener un gasto personal independiente.” Lisandro Otero, Temporada de ángeles, 1983. Cuba. || “Y aunque no soy yo mujer de las vulgares que ajustan con sus cortejos un estipendio mensual para alfileres…” Carmen Martín Gaite, Usos amorosos del dieciocho en España, 1972. Esp.

— “Dear Daddy, I need a little pin money to go shopping.” TV Movie, On the Avenue, 1937. US. || “Women no longer just work for pin money.” Time Magazine, 03/15/1948. US. || “… to regard the monthly check from Washington as just a little added pin money” Rex Stout, The Last Drive…, 2016. US.