‖ pourboire
(purbwar)
[F., prop. pour boire in order to drink, for drinking.]
A gratuity to be spent on drink, drink-money; hence gen. a gratuity, douceur, ‘tip’.
| [1815 Scott Paul's Lett. xiii. (1839) 235 There is always some Frenchman near, who, either merely to do the honours to Monsieur l'Estranger, or at most for quelque chose pour boire, walks with you through the collection [etc.].] 1817 H. C. B. Campbell Journey to Florence (1951) 81 The expence of the pour boire at each of these places is very great... The people of the custom houses..regularly ask for it. 1836 R. Lowe in Life (1893) I. 116 Quarrelled with the man who led the horse because he would not go far enough. Sconsed him of his pourboire. 1882 Sala Amer. Revis. (1885) 55 No pourboire is expected. 1898 Glasgow Weekly Cit. 26 Nov. 16/3 The pourboire will figure as a considerable item when he sets his foot in the land. 1963 [see mancia]. 1964 Economist 6 June 1133/1 A pourboire in the shape of high rebates. 1979 Times 5 Dec. 14/3 Commissioners may acquire the much-coveted Cabinet boxes..if they pay for them... Until [1978]..the boxes were a kind of pourboire. |