Rolling in money

Origin of: Rolling in money

Rolling in money

This metaphor for having so much money that one could repeatedly turn over and luxuriate in it dates from the late 1500s. Perhaps the earliest example of literally rolling in money comes from Herodotus, the Greek historian, who tells a story about Croesus the fabulously wealthy king of Lydia c. 550 BC. Croesus would often offer guests as much gold as they could carry away with them. One guest not only did so but also covered himself in grease from head to foot and rolled in the gold dust that Croesus kept in his treasury. Far from taking offence, Herodotus confirms that Croesus was greatly amused. See also Rich as Croesus.