Baksheesh

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bækˈʃiːʃ/

Alternative forms

• backsheesh, bukshish, bacsheese, buxie, backsishe, bacshish, bachshish, backshish, buckshish, bucksheesh, buxees, bakhshîsh, bakhshish

Origin

Turkish bahşiş, from Persian بخشیش (bakhšīš, "present; an honorary or pecuniary gratuity; drink-money") or بخشش, from بخشیدن (bakhšīdan, "to give, grant, bestow").

Full definition of baksheesh

Noun

1. (business, ethics) In the Middle East, southwest Asia and Eastern Europe, a bribe or tip.
• 1966, Leo Deuel, Testaments of Time: the Search for Lost Manuscripts and Records, New York, p. 367:the complex Oriental etiquette which under the name of "baksheesh" calls for lavish remuneration and bribes, rudely demanded but ever so graciously accepted by the natives in return for little or no services rendered.
• 1985, Eugene R. Laczniak et al., Marketing Ethics: Guidelines for Managers, ISBN 9780669108330, p. 86:Baksheesh (lubrication payment) is often the accepted manner of doing business in the Middle and Far East. However, one must be careful not to confuse ethics with the law.

Synonyms

• grease payment, lubrication payment

Verb

1. To bribe with a baksheesh.