change

[smk]

When referring to currency, does 'change' always mean coins? I have heard, "let me check if I have change," and then the person pulls out bills. I'm not sure what to expect (bills or coins) when someone says that to me at work (I am a cashier at a grocery store).

[Barb_D]

If the customer says "let me see if I have change" I would assume they meant the coins that would match the cents on the total. If I buy something and the total comes to $6.27, I may hand the person a ten-dollar bill and then say that, and pull out 27 cents, so I get bills back instead of coins.

On the other hand, when you give back their change, you mean the total. If I just gave you a ten-dollar bill, my change is $3.73. If I give you the $10.27, my change is four dollars even.

So "change" has two meanings: coins, and then the difference between the purchase price and amount tendered.

[SoothingDave]

If I ask if anyone has change for a $20, I probably just want smaller bills, not the entire thing in coins.

If I tell the waitress to "keep the change" I am tipping her the difference between the total I am being charged and the amount of cash I have given her.

[Barb_D]

Ah, good point. Three meanings, then. "Change for a $20" means smaller bills, indeed!

[smk]

Thank you, Barb_D and SoothingDave! That was very helpful :)