subs. phr. (common).—A sovereign; 20s.: also a crown piece; 5s. Hence TO SMASH (= change) or BLUE A THICK-’UN.

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  1862.  The Cornhill Magazine, vi. Nov., 648. If you like, Jerry, I will send a few THICKUNS to bring you and your tamtart up to Start.

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  1871.  G. D. ATKIN, House Scraps, 111. ‘Have you sufficient confidence in me to lend me a sovereign?’ ‘Oh! yes, I’ve the confidence, but I haven’t the THICK-UN.’

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  1886.  PERCY CLARKE, The ‘New Chum’ in Australia, 143. If … he has a drought within him and a friend or a ‘THICK-UN’ to stand by him, he is a poor, weak, cross-grained fool to refuse.

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  1888.  PAYN, The Eavesdropper, II. ii. ‘Can you smash a THICK-’UN for me?’ inquired one, handing his friend a sovereign.

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  1896.  FARJEON, The Betrayal of John Fordham, III. 277. With three peas and a thimble I’ve earnt many a THICK ’UN.

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  1897.  MARSHALL, Pomes, 26. He wanted his THICK ’UN to canter home with forty or fifty more.

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