US Currency Slang: What a Stack, Grand, and $20 Really Mean

If you watch movies or listen to friends chat about cash, you’ll hear words like "stack", "grand" or "twenty" tossed around. Those aren’t fancy finance terms – they’re everyday slang that makes talking about money quicker and a bit cooler. Below we break down the most popular slang, where it started, and how you can use it without sounding weird.

"Stack" – The Quick Way to Say One Thousand Dollars

A "stack" usually means $1,000. The word comes from the image of a stack of ten $100 bills tied together. It’s short, easy to say, and works in most informal settings. You might hear, "He just earned three stacks this month," meaning $3,000. The term has been around since the 1990s and shows up in hip‑hop lyrics and street talk. If you’re buying a used couch for a few stacks, everyone knows you mean a few thousand bucks.

"Grand" – The Same as a Stack but More Formal

"Grand" is another name for $1,000, but it feels a little more polished. It likely comes from the French word "grand" meaning big, and it’s been used in banking circles for a long time. People say, "That car costs twenty‑five grand," which is $25,000. It fits both casual conversation and a quick email. The key is that "grand" always refers to a whole thousand, never a single hundred.

Both "stack" and "grand" are interchangeable, but choose "stack" when you want a laid‑back vibe and "grand" when you want to sound a bit more professional.

Other Common Money Slang

Besides the thousand‑dollar terms, we hear a lot about $20 bills. The $20 is often called a "Jackson" because it features President Andrew Jackson’s portrait. Some call it a "two‑ten" or simply a "twenty". In everyday speech you might hear, "I need a couple of Jacksons for the parking meter." The name helps avoid saying "twenty dollars" over and over.

People also use "nickel", "dime", "quarter", and "buck" for smaller amounts, but the big‑ticket slang usually centers on stacks, grands, and Jacksons.

So, next time you’re chatting about cash, just drop these words in. Saying "I need a stack for the concert tickets" or "That bike costs two grands" sounds natural and shows you know the lingo. Keep it simple, use the right term for the amount, and you’ll fit right in with anyone talking about money.