A Quick Buck
Summary
Lexicon Valley hosts Bob Garfield and Mike Volo explore the etymology of "buck," tracing its roots from male deer to poker terminology. They explain how "passing the buck" originated from using buckhorn-handled knives to mark the dealer in 19th-century games. The episode also discusses how "buck" came to mean a dollar, likely via buckskin currency or poker substitutions, and clarifies that President Truman did not coin the phrase "the buck stops here."
Topics discussed
Intro: Poker, cigars, and the phrase 'passing the buck'
The many meanings of 'buck': money, men, and animals
Etymology of 'buck' and its use in poker as the dealer button
Sponsor break: Quince clothing and ethical business practices
19th-century poker: Pocket knives and the origin of the 'buck'
From buckhorn knives to 'passing the buck' figuratively
The 'Buck Stops Here' sign: Truman and earlier origins
Why a dollar is called a 'buck': Buckskin vs. poker coins
Outro: Premium subscribers and the word 'buckaroo'
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