Bilk
/bɪlk/noun
To cheat, evade payment, or defraud someone.
Did you know?The word’s origin is uncertain, but it was popularized in 17th-century English slang with meanings like cheating at cards or swindling, which is why it still feels shadowy and underhanded.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
English
bilk
“to cheat or deceive, especially in games or dealings”
17th Century
English
bilk
“to frustrate, disappoint, or evade someone’s expectations”
18th–19th Century
English
bilk
“to cheat out of money; to avoid paying debts”
Modern English
English
bilk
“to cheat, evade, or defraud”