Gopher
Slang term for the USD/JPY currency pair, used by forex traders.
Gopher is trader slang for the USD/JPY pair, from 'go for' yen. It is one of the most traded pairs in the world.
Gopher is forex trader slang for the USD/JPY (US Dollar/Japanese Yen) currency pair. The nickname comes from the phrase "go for" (yen) which sounds like "gopher." It's one of the most traded currency pairs globally.
How It Works
- "Buying the gopher" = going long USD/JPY
- "Selling the gopher" = going short USD/JPY
- Commonly used in dealing rooms and trading chat
Trading Tips
USD/JPY is highly liquid during Asian and US sessions
Sensitive to Bank of Japan policy and US Treasury yields
Often used as a risk sentiment indicator
Gopher Example
Say a London dealer says gopher is bid at 151. They mean USD/JPY is being bought at 151.00. The nickname comes from go for, as in go for yen, and desks still use it on fast voice lines.
How Traders Use Gopher
Learn the nicknames before you need them: cable, fiber, gopher, aussie, loonie. Nobody explains them mid-call, and mishearing one turns your order into the wrong pair.
Related Terms
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