moola

The story

Unknown, attested since the 1920s. Suggested origins, none of which are accepted by mainstream lexicographers, include: * from Romani mol (“have value, be worth”) * from Irish moll óir (“heap of gold”) However, this is unlikely because of the difference in pronunciation. * from French moulin (“mill”) * from Chinook Jargon moola (“mill”) * from Sanskrit मूल्य (mūlya, “capital, principal”) * coined by Chuck Green, a friend of Damon Runyon