am I right?
From 1940 to 1941, a time when everyone thought Hitler would win the war, a certain contingent of le Tout-Paris joined the collaboration as if it were the natural thing to do. At tiie start of the occupation, the German soldiers were instructed to be on their best behavior, and the High Command set themselves up in the lap of luxury at the Ritz, paying their bills in scrap money. The Lutetia was the headquarters of the Gestapo, and at the elegant Bristol on the Faubourg St. Honore, the American expatriate Florence Gould continued her literary lunches, now with the addition of a few German officers. In Fabre-Luce's Journal de la France one could read: "The green uniform is, after all, the latest novelty that Paris, in its natural curios¬ity and frivolity, is trying to tame."】

Does "pay the bill in scrap money" mean "doesn't pay at all?"

Question

am I right?
From 1940 to 1941, a time when everyone thought Hitler would win the war, a certain contingent of le Tout-Paris joined the collaboration as if it were the natural thing to do. At tiie start of the occupation, the German soldiers were instructed to be on their best behavior, and the High Command set themselves up in the lap of luxury at the Ritz, paying their bills in scrap money. The Lutetia was the headquarters of the Gestapo, and at the elegant Bristol on the Faubourg St. Honore, the American expatriate Florence Gould continued her literary lunches, now with the addition of a few German officers. In Fabre-Luce's Journal de la France one could read: "The green uniform is, after all, the latest novelty that Paris, in its natural curios¬ity and frivolity, is trying to tame."】

Does "pay the bill in scrap money" mean "doesn't pay at all?"

Answer

Hmmmm, even as a native English speaker the term 'scrap money' has confused me, as I have never heard it before. It certainly does not mean 'not pay at all'. My best guesses are, a-small change, or b- money from selling scrap metal.

Answer

I think it is supposed to say "scrip" money, not "scrap."  Scrip was money that soldiers used in wartime.  It is like an IOU.  Not real money, but it is hopefully traded for real money later.

Answer

It does not mean they didn't pay.  They did pay, but I can't be certain as to what exactly scrap money was.  Did the previous paragraphs mention anything else related to this?

Answer

I am not exactly sure what it means but there was a shortage of materials, such as leather--and other much desired  fashion accessories in Paris, during this period and it could be a reference to the German soldiers paying their bills with money obtained from selling scrap pieces of material (from their uniforms). This is just a guess.

Answers · 7

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