a nickel could change hands

[moonlike]

Hi
In the following sentence if nickel means 5 cents, then what can be the meaning? Can a nickle change hands? I don't get what it means by 'a nickle can change hands'?
Thanks.

The meat could be kneaded into a pellet, flipped on the hotplate, and clapped in a bun (to keep the customer's fingers grease-free) faster than a nickel could change hands

 

[a_vee]

I think a nickel changing hands is like a nickel being paid to another person.

 

[Gillnetter]

Hi
In the following sentence if nickel means 5 cents, then what can be the meaning? Can a nickle change hands? I don't get what it means by 'a nickle can change hands'?
Thanks.

The meat could be kneaded into a pellet, flipped on the hotplate, and clapped in a bun (to keep the customer's fingers grease-free) faster than a nickel could change hands

How long does it take for you to give some money to a clerk in a shop? A nickle is money. When you give your money to someone else, the money has changed hands. You no longer have the money. It is no longer in your hands but is in the hands of the person you gave it to.

 

[charliedeut]

And besides, spending a nickel nowadays is really easy - so it goes away fast. YOu text is just saying that getting a hamburger ready was really fast (and it uses hyperbole to highlight it)

charliedeut