Old English use of 'dollar' and 'booze' found in new language exhibition Dollar is on the map - a word associated with America's financial prowess, it originated from Germany in 1519. Dollar stems from Taler, a shortened version of the word Joachimstaler, the first coin minted in the town of Joachimsthal. Germany is responsible for another culturally English word: booze. The slang has alcoholic roots, from "busen," the German verb meaning excessive drinking. It was first used by English thieves and beggars in the 1500s. The English language has borrowed words from all over the world through trading, settlers from other countries, slavery and passing trends. Medieval scholars adopted a lot of Arabic words, while Asian words came into use during colonial times. Many of the English words for food and drink have origins elsewhere, such as ketchup and potato - egg, for example, came from Viking settlers. The English Effect is on at the British Council's headquarters in London until June 29, free entrance.