riot money

Definitions

Additional pay given to soldiers for serving against their fellow citizens, for example in quashing civil disorder.

obsolete, uncountable

Examples

“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.”

“’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.”

CEFR level