Backshish

/ˈbækʃɪʃ/ noun

Definition

A variant spelling of backsheesh or baksheesh; money given as a tip, bribe, or gratuity, especially in Middle Eastern contexts.

Etymology

Alternative transliteration of Arabic 'bakhshīsh.' Multiple English spellings reflect different phonetic interpretations by early translators from Arabic.

Kelly Says

The multiple spellings of this word—backsheesh, backshish, baksheesh—show how English borrowed it before standardization, similar to how 'ketchup' has multiple accepted spellings!

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