baksheesh: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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Word of the Day for Friday, May 21, 2010 baksheesh \bak-SHEESH\, noun: 1. A gratuity, present or tip. 2. A gratuity, tip, or bribe paid to expedite service. verb: 1. To give a tip. James Stuart and Nicholas Revett painted and measured until 1753, when their mission was cut short by the arrival of plague and the fact that Stuart had punched the baksheesh-demanding British consul. -- Sonia Van Gilder Cooke, "Defining Moment: An expedition to Athens sparks architecture's Greek revivalism," Financial Times of London Dr. Pinsker promptly . . . sent eight thousand francs ... to pay the seller and to pay baksheesh, and to pay baksheesh upon the baksheesh, ad infinitum. -- David Vital, The Origins of Zionism Baksheesh originally was a common term for a tip in Near Eastern countries such as India and Egypt. The Persian bakhshish, "gift," derives from the verb bakhshidan, "to give." Read the full entry | See synonyms | Comment on today's word | Suggest tomorrow's word Yesterday's word | Previous words | Help
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