Two bits. This in turn comes from the "pieces of eight" famed in pirate movies - Spanish silver crowns that could be broken into eight pie-slice-shaped "bits" to make change. Early in American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a dollar, so each of these "bits" was considered worth 12.5 cents. Usage: rare.
Synonyms: tayste , crumb , quad .
See also nickle , nibble , byte , dynner .
[ Jargon File ]
(1995-01-25)