backsheesh
|back-sheesh|
/ˈbækʃiːʃ/
small tip or bribe
Etymology
'backsheesh' originates from Persian, specifically the word 'bakhshish', where 'bakhsh' meant 'to give'.
'backsheesh' changed from the Persian word 'bakhshish' and passed into Ottoman Turkish and Arabic as 'bakhshish'/'bakshish' before entering English (via travel and colonial contact) as 'bakshish'/'backsheesh' in the 18th–19th centuries.
Initially, it meant 'gift' or 'bestowal', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a tip or small bribe'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small sum of money given as a tip or token of gratitude for a service
He left a backsheesh for the porter.
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Noun 2
a bribe or illicit payment intended to influence an official or secure a favor
Officials were accused of taking backsheesh to speed permits.
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Last updated: 2025/12/27 04:52