cash on the barrelhead

On the American frontier, barrels were employed as desks or tables with which to conduct transactions.

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cash on the barrelhead (uncountable)

1. (US, idiomatic) Money in the form of paper currency or coins, paid immediately at the time and place of a transaction: cash only (no credit), and at the point of sale.
   • 1938 September 1, Charles B. Parmer, “Serial Story: Photo Finish—Twelve”, in Telegraph-Herald, Iowa, US, retrieved 23 July 2013, page 11:

     "[W]e're selling, to the highest bidder, and for cash on the barrel head. . . . Cash in hand, no checks accepted."

   • 1947 March 31, Foreign Relations: Potent Weapon, Time:

     [I]n 1946 the U.S. exported $2,166 million worth of food. . . . Most of this ($1,354 million) was paid for, cash on the barrelhead. But $628 million was the U.S. contribution to UNRRA stocks, and $184 million went through Lend-Lease.

   • 2003 February 25, Paul Krugman, “Threats, Promises and Lies”, in New York Times, retrieved 22 July 2013:

     In return for support of an Iraq invasion, Turkey wanted—and got—immediate aid, cash on the barrelhead, rather than mere assurances about future help.

• cold cash
• cash and carry
• cash on the line
• on the drum
• on the nail

• “cash on the barrelhead”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.