What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Pin money’?
The early usage is alluded to in the 16th century in The Testamenta Eboracensia - A Selection of Wills from the Registry at York, 1542:
“I give my said doughter Margarett my lease of the parsonadge of Kirkdall Churche.. to by her pynnes withal.”
The first explicit mention of ‘pin money’ is in J. Keble’s English Republic:
On difference between him and his lady about settlement of 200 l. per annum, pin-mony in case of separation,