Definition of pay into

The phrase "pay into" is a phrasal verb that describes the act of contributing money to a specific fund, account, or scheme. It's a relatively recent addition to the English language, having only emerged in the late 19th century. The earliest recorded use of "pay into" can be traced back to 1877, when it appeared in the pages of a British financial journal called The Builder. It's thought to have developed as a more concise and modern alternative to the earlier phrase "pay money into," which is still in common use today. The phrasal verb is made up of two separate words: "pay," which has been part of the English language for well over a thousand years, and "into," which has been in use since the 14th century. In this context, "into" is simply indicating the direction in which the money is being placed, in this case, into a specific fund or account. The ease and convenience of online banking in the 21st century have helped to further popularize the use of "pay into" as it is a straightforward and efficient way to transfer money into various accounts, whether it be a bank account, pension fund, or savings scheme. It's also commonly used in business contexts, such as when making contributions to a shared office expense account or paying towards a joint project. In summary, the phrase "pay into" is a relatively recent addition to the English language, having emerged in the late 19th century as a modern and concise alternative to the earlier phrase "pay money into." It's made up of the words "pay" and "into," and is used to describe the act of contributing money to a specific fund, account, or scheme.