Money for old rope

Posted by Bob on July 09, 2000

In my latest crossword puzzle (and IF I unscrambled the anagram properly) I found "money for old rope" as a metaphor for easy profits. Is this a Britishism? Never heard it in the States. Origin?

• Money for old rope Bruce Kahl 07/09/00
  • Money for old rope and slush funds James Briggs 07/10/00