E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pelf.
Filthy pelf. Money. The word was anciently used for refuse or rubbish. “Who steals my purse steals trash.” Filthy means ungodly; the Scripture expression is “unrighteous mammon.” It is certainly not connected with pilfer, as it is usually given; but it may possibly be with the Anglo-Saxon pila, a pile or heap.
The old French word pelfre means spoil.
