Bakhshish
/bækˈʃiːʃ/noun
A gratuity, tip, or small payment, especially one given in parts of South Asia and the Middle East.
Did you know?The Persian verb bakhshidan means both “to give” and “to forgive,” linking generosity and pardon through the same ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhag-
“To apportion, share, or allot a portion”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhága
“A share, portion, fortune, or divine dispenser of good fortune”
Middle Persian
Middle Persian
baxišn
“A gift, granting, or act of giving”
New Persian
Persian
bakhshīš
“A gift, gratuity, or charitable offering”
18th–19th Century
Urdu/Hindustani
bak̲h̲shīsh
“A tip, gift, or payment offered to a servant or official”
19th Century–Modern English
English
bakhshish
“A gratuity or small payment, sometimes implying a bribe”
Explore more surprising origins