A corn exchange (Commonwealth English) or grain exchange (North American English) was a building where farmers and merchants traded cereal grains. Such trade was common in towns and cities across Great Britain and Ireland until the 19th century, but as the trade became centralised in the 20th century many such buildings were used for other purposes. Several have since become heritage sites.
The name corn refers to all cereal grains in most varieties of English, not only to maize as in North America.
For the history of corn exchanges, see:
- grain trade
- Commodity market and
- Commodities exchange
Famous quotes containing the words corn and/or exchange:
“We legislate against forestalling and monopoly; we would have a common granary for the poor; but the selfishness which hoards the corn for high prices, is the preventative of famine; and the law of self-preservation is surer policy than any legislation can be.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The social kiss is an exchange of insincerity between two combatants on the field of social advancement. It places hygiene before affection and condescension before all else.”
—Sunday Correspondent (London, Aug. 12, 1990)