Why do they call the GBP/USD the cable? | Forex Factory

Options

Permalinks
Print Thread

Similar Threads

About Candlesticks: Why they were created? What do they reveal? 160 replies

GBP/AUD, GBP/CAD, GBP/CHF and GBP/NZD thread 126 replies

Govt bond auctions: they get money then what do they do with it? 2 replies

Which is the safest broker in relation to the bank they keep they're accounts with 16 replies

GBP/USD, USD/JPY, EUR/USD : Where are they going? 14 replies

Why do they call the GBP/USD the cable?

  • #1
  • First Post: Feb 23, 2010 8:50pm Feb 23, 2010 8:50pm
I am just curious, does anyone know the origins of the nickname cable? I understand aussie, kiwi, etc, but cable?! Whenever i hear of it i always wonder where the nickname was coined.

I figured this would go into the rookie considering it is semi-informative.
  • #2
  • Feb 24, 2010 1:41am Feb 24, 2010 1:41am
I know the answer to this one. It's because the first transatlantic cable was laid in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, so that instatnt communication between the UK and the USA was possible.

No, wait, it may have been a later crossing.

Some people call Eur/Usd "fibre" because that cable is, of course, fibre optic.
Gone to a better place
  • #3
  • Feb 24, 2010 2:27am Feb 24, 2010 2:27am
The GBP/USD pairing is known by traders as Cable, which has its origins from the time when a communications cable under the Atlantic Ocean synchronized the GBP/USD quote between the London and New York markets
  • #4
  • Feb 24, 2010 3:06am Feb 24, 2010 3:06am
Should make this one a sticky, gets asked regularly
It never gets easier, you just get better
  • #5
  • Feb 24, 2010 1:34pm Feb 24, 2010 1:34pm
Quoting scorpion
The GBP/USD pairing is known by traders as Cable, which has its origins from the time when a communications cable under the Atlantic Ocean synchronized the GBP/USD quote between the London and New York markets
Thank you for your effort but actaully I think you will find they did not have currency trading in the times of Columbus.
Gone to a better place
  • #6
  • Feb 24, 2010 1:47pm Feb 24, 2010 1:47pm
http://atlantic-cable.com/NF2001/CCPaper/
Invincibility lies in the defence, the possibility of victory in the attack
  • #7
  • Feb 24, 2010 5:26pm Feb 24, 2010 5:26pm
Thanks guys. I searched "cable origin" in the forum but nothing substantial came up, so I decided to create a thread. It makes sense though.
  • #8
  • Feb 24, 2010 6:11pm Feb 24, 2010 6:11pm
Quoting Proda
I am just curious, does anyone know the origins of the nickname cable? I understand aussie, kiwi, etc, but cable?! Whenever i hear of it i always wonder where the nickname was coined.

I figured this would go into the rookie considering it is semi-informative.
It's because if you eat loads of pound coins and dollar bills, when you have a shit , your shit comes out long and thin, and looks like a cable. Simple.
  • #9
  • Last Post: Feb 25, 2010 9:40pm Feb 25, 2010 9:40pm
Thank you very much milenko for the informative post.
0 traders viewing now