▪ I. ‖ baksheesh, bakhshish, n.
(ˈbækʃiːʃ)
Forms: 7 bacsheese, 8 buxie, backsishe, bacshish, 9 bach-, backshish, ba(c)ksheesh, bu(c)kshish, -sheesh, buxees, bakhshîsh.
[Pers. bakhshīsh present, f. bakhshī-dan to give; now used in Arabic, Turkish, and Urdu.]
Oriental term for: A gratuity, present of money, ‘tip.’
| [1625 Purchas Pilgrimes ii. 1340 Who..would prostitute her selfe to any man Bacsheese (as they say in the Arabicke tonque) that is gratis freely.] 1755–60 Ives 51 (Col. Yule) Buxie money. 1775 R. Chandler Trav. Asia Min. viii. 1825 A demand of bac-shish, a reward or present; which term, from its frequent use, was already become very familiar to us. 1781 Gentl. Mag. 113 The Backsishe, or money to drink. 1814 Mrs. Sherwood Henry & Bearer 29 And gave Boosy..four rupees, buckshish. 1854 W. D. Arnold Oakfield I. 239 The relieved bearers..most unceremoniously demanded buxees. 1863 M. L. Whately Ragged Life Egypt x. 84 Asking loudly for backsheesh. 1876 Times 20 Apr., Fresh baksheesh to the unworthy minions of the harem. |
▪ II. ˈbaksheesh, v.
[f. prec.]
To give a present of money to; to bribe, ‘tip.’ Also absol. quasi-intr.
| 1867 Good Words 1 Mar. 184/1 We backshished our caffagi, and left Aiasaluck at sunrise. 1882 Macm. Mag. XLVI. 167 The higher grades..were reserved for those who backsheeshed the highest. 1884 Gen. Gordon in Pall Mall G. 6 May 12/1 You would..make terms with Mahdi by making me backsheesh Mahdi. |