Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US black) of a prostitute, insufficient money to satisfy her pimp; for a drug dealer or user, insufficient money to make a desired purchase.

1971		D. Goines Dopefiend (1991) 42: While I try and figure out what we can do for you, short money and all.
1972		(con. 1950s) D. Goines Whoreson 98: I’d rather toss bricks in the penitentiary than allow a whore of mine to bring me short money.

2. (US) small bills.

2000		F.X. Toole Rope Burns 16: ‘What’s he getting?’ ‘Short money.’.
2012		‘Dutch’ ? (Pronounced Que) [ebook] Short money was scattered about the table. The major gamblers only came on selected nights.