Haggling

/ˈhæɡəlɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Arguing or bargaining back-and-forth about the price of something, trying to get a better deal.

Etymology

From Dutch 'hagelen' or Yiddish 'khagel,' related to words meaning 'to chop' or 'to hack.' The sense evolved from the image of chopping down a price through repeated offers.

Kelly Says

Haggling is so ancient that it's built into the DNA of bazaars, souks, and street markets across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—but Western stores killed it with fixed prices, which actually made us worse negotiators in real life.

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