spang

v. to beg for money. Also spange. Hence, spanger, a person who begs for money. Subjects: English, Money & Finance, Slang

Editorial Note: Rhymes with change or range. Etymological Note: Usually said to be a corruption of spare change.

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Citations: 1994 Bryan Smith Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) (July 17) “The Greenhouse Prom & The Paperbag Princess” p. A01: Along the way, she bums a nickel here, a quarter there. The kids call it “spanging”—begging spare change. It is how they buy food and coffee and cigarettes without selling themselves or drugs.…She tries to spange a few quarters, thinking maybe she can muster enough for a cheap hotel room, or at least a cup of hot coffee and something to eat. 1995 [DownerMan] Usenet: rec.music.phish (June 11) “Red Rocks notes”: One demoralizing aspect of the “scene” is the apparent lack of responsibility demonstrated by an increasing number of tourheads—I mean, spanging at the third show of the tour? 1995 Jennifer Bjorhus Seattle Times (Washington) (Aug. 12) “Cuts Kill Job Program That’s Helped Teens For 30 Years—Federal Crunch Hits Seattle” p. A1: Just over a year ago, 16-year-old Jessica Adams was living on the street in the U District “spanging” for spare change, doing acid and, at her lowest point, using some “clear liquid” that she doesn’t know the contents of. 2004 Rachel Shapiro Metroblogging Seattle (Washington) (July 30) “The complexities of spanging etiquette”: Turned out the guy had spare changed someone who she rightfully should have had a crack at. Part of me wanted to walk over, crouch down next to her, put my arm around her shoulder and say “Honey, at any given time of the day there are at least 20 spangers on this stretch. You’re ALL cutting each other off. And, if it makes you feel any better, that guy? Well, he probably wouldn’t have given you any money anyway…” 2005 Korrigan (James Keezer) @ Toronto, Ontario, Canada Digihitch.com (May 12) “Spanging?”: Spanging/panhandling is asking for money. Busking is actually doing something for money ala singing/guitar, etc. 2006 Chris Durant, James Faulk Times-Standard (Eureka, California) (Dec. 17) “Plunging into a dark world”: It was after 3 p.m., and we realized as we stepped outside that we had only a little time until dark, and we were hungry. We had half a loaf of bread and warm mayonnaise, but no protein. We “spanged,” as it’s called on the street. That is, after struggling with our dignity and reigniting our purpose, we asked for money.

Posted 20 Dec 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend