flying money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flying money" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a historical form of currency or a concept of money that is not physically present, often in discussions about trade or economics. Example: "During the Tang Dynasty, merchants used flying money to facilitate trade over long distances without the need to carry heavy coins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The ancient Chinese used a similar method called "flying money," or fei qian.

The New York Times

In the second half of the Tang dynasty, the Chinese devised a system known as fei qian, or flying money.

The Economist

For a flavour of what the Arabs call hawala and the Chinese fei ch'ien, or flying money, try north London's Seven Sisters Road.

The Economist

In Asia paper money has a still longer history, its first documented use having been in China during the 9th century, when "flying money," a sort of draft or bill of exchange developed by merchants, was gradually transformed into government-issued fiat money.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several centuries earlier, Tang dynasty China used "feiquan" - flying money - a two-part document allowing merchants to deposit profits in a regional office, and reclaim their cash back in the capital.

BBC

In South Asia the system is known by the Hindi word hundi; South America has the black market peso exchange or casa de cambio ("stash house"); a Thai variant is phoe kuan ("message houses"); "Chitibanking" was used by the British in China, while the Chinese themselves, initially rice and tea traders, created their own "flying money," a.k.a.a

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A bell rang, and Nene and Benjamin went beak to beak, feathers flying, as money changed hands in the audience and men shouted.

The New Yorker

He said that the ECCB was flying in money to back withdrawals at the Bank of Antigua for now, but that they could not do so for long.

The Guardian

And he would fly the money back to the Patagoinan Province of Santa Cruz in private jets, bringing back the empty suitcases.

Forbes

"We don't have a wheelbarrow load of money, there is not the money flying about people think there is," he added.

BBC

"There's no extra money flying around".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical financial systems, use "flying money" to specifically refer to the Tang Dynasty Chinese practice. Otherwise, consider modern equivalents like "electronic funds transfer" for contemporary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "flying money" to describe modern financial transactions. It's best reserved for discussions about ancient Chinese financial history to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flying money" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a historical financial instrument or system. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it referring to ancient Chinese practices and similar systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flying money" refers to a historical financial system used in China during the Tang Dynasty. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct, but it is important to use it in the appropriate context, which is typically historical discussions about finance. While the phrase is not frequently used in modern contexts, related concepts like "electronic funds transfer" are common. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist use the term in their reporting and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fei qian

Uses the original Chinese term for "flying money".

paper currency

Focuses on the physical form of money used instead of coins.

virtual currency

Highlights the non-physical, digital aspect of money.

monetary transfer system

Emphasizes the system in place for moving money.

early banking practice

Shifts the focus to the historical context of banking.

ancient financial method

Stresses the historical and financial nature of the system.

hawala system

Specifies a similar alternative system of transferring funds.

funds in transit

Focuses on the state of money being moved between locations.

transmitted capital

Emphasizes the transmission of capital.

transferred money

Simple alternative focusing on the act of transferring funds.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "flying money"?

"Flying money" (fei qian) refers to a paper-based monetary system used in China during the Tang Dynasty, enabling merchants to deposit funds in one location and withdraw them elsewhere, avoiding the risks of transporting physical coins.

Is "flying money" still in use today?

No, the specific system of "flying money" from the Tang Dynasty is no longer in use. However, similar concepts exist today in the form of electronic funds transfers and informal value transfer systems like the "hawala system".

How does "flying money" compare to modern banking practices?

"Flying money" was a precursor to modern banking, offering a way to transfer value without physically moving currency. Today's banking systems offer similar services with greater speed, security, and global reach through electronic transfers.

What are some alternatives to "flying money" when discussing financial transfers?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "electronic funds transfer", "wire transfer", or "remittance". For historical contexts, you might discuss similar systems like the "hundi system" in South Asia.