May 29, 2014 8:45 AM

http://www.westegg.com/etymology/#exchequer The Moors introduced the Abacus to Europe so that the Europeans could multiply, and the monks spread this device throughout Europe. In Britain, it was used but with their own twist to it: they used a checkboard and checker-like pieces (rather than the usual rods and beads) -- and this gave British version gave rise to the "exchequer" in "Chancellor of the Exchequer."

That black and white tile pattern certainly gets about - the vatican and masons really seem to dig it too.