“The History of Money” Vocabulary

teller Today, many of the duties that used to be done by a bank teller, a real person, are done by machines.

teller N. a bank clerk who gives out or receives money

automated You see these replacements for people, such as automated teller machines, every day.

automated Adj. controlled by machines

fee For a fee that is often a dollar, these machines give you money.

fee n. payment

currency Suddenly, you have real currency to buy what you need.

currency n. Money used in a country

loans Sometimes you can even get a loan from these machines, but don’t forget you have to repay it.

loans n. Money given that must be repaid, often with interest

bartering We’ve come a long way from the days of bartering, when you traded something to get what you wanted.

bartering v. Trading goods and services without using money