quarter

	This is the JargonFile ^(V4.00) entry for quarter - Next: ques, Prev: quantum bogodynamics
:quarter: /n./ Two bits. This in turn comes from the pieces of eight famed in pirate movies -- Spanish silver crowns that could be broken into eight pie-slice-shaped bits to make change. Early in American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a dollar, so each of these bits was considered worth 12.5 cents. Syn. tayste, crumb, quad. Usage: rare. General discussion of such terms is under nybble.
* (text is auto-included via JargonExtension by mutante using jargon with VERSION 4.0.0, 24 JUL 1996* - JargonFile by Eric S. Raymond is in the public domain)*