A tip or extra payment given for good service, typically to restaurant servers or other service workers.
From Latin 'gratuitus' meaning 'given freely' or 'without payment.' Ironically, a gratuity was originally something given for free, with no expectation of return! Roman patrons gave 'gratuitous' gifts to show generosity. Over time, these 'free' gifts became expected payments for service.
The word gratuity originally meant something given for absolutely nothing in return - the opposite of today's expected tip! Romans gave gratuities to show off their wealth, never imagining these 'free gifts' would become the mandatory 20% we calculate at restaurants today.
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