Why is "Kite" slang for cheque?

by Gordon 19. November 2009 14:04

Kite: originally meant a worthless bill or cheque. Hence you would say "I am going to fly a kite" means you are going to pass a bad cheque. The word seems to now mean any cheque (bad or not). It is still used in the insurance and banking industry I am told.

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11/28/2009 10:09:52 AM #

Dominic Adams

This is not quite the definition I know...When banks first started issuing personal cheques, the only individuals who owned chequing accounts were 'High Flyers', hence 'Kites'. This term is still in use, but not just in banking circles. As a South Londoner, I can tell you it features quite regularly in every day language.

Dominic Adams United Kingdom | Reply

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