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smart money (n.)
"money bet by those in the know," 1926, from smart (adj.). The same phrase earlier meant "money paid to sailors, soldiers, workers, etc., who have been disabled while on the job" (1690s), from a noun derivative of smart (v.) "be painful, hurt." Also "money paid to obtain the discharge of a recruit" (1760), hence "money paid to escape some unpleasant situation" (1818). Sometimes in legal use, "damages in excess of injury done."
updated on January 20, 2023
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Dictionary entries near smart money
small-time
small-town
smarm
smarmy
smart
smart money
smart-aleck
smart-arse
smart-ass
smarten
smartly