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    What is the origin of the phrase " a Flemish account" for an account in the red, and is that phrase still current in present-day English?

    Question #108565. Asked by flem-ish. (Sep 07 09 5:38 AM)


    author

    		It means a sum less than expected.

    http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/FL/FLEMISH+ACCOUNT.html

    Sep 07 09, 6:38 AM
    looney_tunes

    		(From the same link as author's)
    A Flemish account means one with "a sum less than that expected. In Antwerp accounts were kept in livres, sols, and pence; but the livre or pound was only 12s." In other words, a balance of 10 pounds (120 shillings) in such an account would actually only contain 6 pounds in England, where a pound contained 20s. Calculations based on an incorrect assumption as to the value of an account could clearly lead to disasrous results!

    Sep 08 09, 2:14 AM

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