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Lombard Street to a china orange phr. (also Lombard Street to a Brummagem sixpence, …to an eggshell, …to ninepence; one hundred pounds to a China orange) [Lombard Street, a centre of London banking since the 12C + SE china orange. The sweet orange (Citrus aurantium) was first sold in London in the mid-17C and by the 19C it was used figuratively to mean anything of minimal value. The bet wagers the wealth that is available in the street's banks against the almost valueless orange]
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