Good Money

Why is it "good money"? Is bad money worth any less? "You know, even though they took out the wrong organ, it's a relief to know it was our bad money that covered the medical expenses," or, "We send bad money to charities and keep the good money for the yacht club."

For most people who use the term "good money", it's as if they believe earning money is what makes it worth the dollar amount. Money is money.

Let's meet Subject #1: This individual works a grueling 80 hours a week, working any shift through the day or even through the night, and they only get $3000 a month.

Now Subject #2: This individual steals $3000 a month.

Subjects #1 and #2 go to the same concert, spend the same on tickets, buy the same t-shirt, eat at the same restaurant after, order the same meal, then leave the same tip. If Subject #1 had the good money, then Subject #2 wouldn't have had anything to pay for any of that.

Come to think of it, the only actually bad money would be counterfeit money. But, that means that even a petty thief could complain that, "Hey! I spent good money to get his autograph! This is robbery!"

For me, money is never good, anyway. Unless you're talking about an excellent way to start a fire.