Brass

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Either

• A gold coloured metal that needs polishing often.

• The stuff that Cap Badges were made of.

• Slang for Pistol/Rifle Cartridges.

• Slang for a Girlfriend, Mostly used by Cockneys.

• Money (the old British threepenny piece was circa 60% brass).

• Nerve/cheek. As in: having the brass balls to haggle with a stall holder, get him to charge only 15 quid (he was asking 20), then give him a 20-quid note & ask for change. (True story.)

• Generic term for senior officers (used to be called "brasshats" owing to all the gold braid hanging off 'em).