Wand and British money

[Amy Z]

Darla wanted to know: 
 
> The whole dimes, nickles etc thing confused me as well. If you have 
ten cents 
> then why not call it ten cents?!?!?!

This seems inevitable.  No matter what the official terminology, 
people will come up with slang for their money.  It's colorful!  Not 
as colorful as all those bobs, shillings, guineas, and whatnots you-
all used to have (I never have any idea what's going on in monetary 
transactions in older English writing...I just skip right over them, 
just like I skip scenes where people are playing bridge).

> 
> But the most confusing thing has got to be the way that in an 
american shop 
> you'll see something that claims to be (for example) $4. you then 
get to the 
> check out and are charged $4.25 or whatever...Why not just add tax 
onto the 
> price in the first place?

Because things sell better if people think they're cheaper.  It's 
that simple.  You mean the posted prices in Britain include tax?  
Some places do that here, but most don't.

Amy Z