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TRUMP $250 BILL RIDICULED IN CHINAIn the you-just-can't-make-this-stuff-up department is this South China Morning Post article headlined, "Plan to put Trump on US$250 bill tickles China as number means ‘stubborn idiot' in slang." -Editor 
A US congressman's proposal to print a US$250 banknote bearing President Donald Trump's face has amused Chinese netizens because in Chinese slang the number means a foolish and stubborn person. On February 26, Joe Wilson, a Republican congressman from South Carolina, announced on social media that he is drafting legislation on the matter. The US Secretary of the Treasury has the final say over whose faces are on the country's banknotes. Current laws prohibit living individuals from featuring. A comment from a Chinese netizen sparked further discussion: "In China, 250 has a very interesting meaning. You would not want to know it. I hope you never do." The poster was referring to the fact that 250 is common Chinese slang used to describe someone as foolish, stubborn, and reckless. It is believed to come from a Warring States Period (475-221 BC) incident where four men falsely claimed to have killed statesman Su Qin for a reward. They demanded to split the 1,000 gold coins equally, each getting 250, which angered the king and led to their execution. From then on the number has been used to describe greedy and stubborn idiots. 
Another theory ties 250 to ancient Chinese currency. In those times, people would string 1,000 copper coins together to make one diao for easier use. A half diao of 500 coins, called ban diao zi, refers to someone with limited knowledge or skill. Since 250 is less than half, it came to symbolise foolishness. Wilson's proposal has racked up more than 14 million views on mainland social media, with most users finding it hilarious. One online observer said: "I know next year marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Wilson is probably unaware what 250 means in China."
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Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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