riot money

riot money

English

Noun

riot money (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) extra pay given to soldiers for serving against their fellow citizens, for example in quashing civil disorder
   • 1820 June 19, T. C. Hansard (publisher), “House of Commons: Military Disturbance” in The Parliamentary Debates, New Series; Commencing with the Accession of George IV, volume 1, page 1147:

     He had learned that the great disturbance amongst a portion of the guards was attributed to the failure in issuing a certain rate of allowance which was called riot money. […] Knowing also, that if they were ordered to march for foreign service no such increased rate of allowance was either given or expected, by what rule should it be granted when employed against their fellow-citizens? […] he wished to hear from his majesty’s judge advocate how long it had been the practice of the govenment to issue the increased allowance of riot money.

   • 1820, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Oedipus Tyrannus; Or, Swellfoot The Tyrant: A Tragedy in Two Acts:

     ’Tis all the same,
     He’ll serve instead of riot money, when
     Our murmuring troops bivouaque in Thebes’ streets;
     And January winds, after a day
     Of butchering, will make them relish carrion.