This week's theme
Words from various languages that built the English language

This week's words
behoove
ugsome
abjure
purlieu
cumshaw

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(KUM-shaw)

MEANING:

noun: A gift or a tip.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Chinese (Amoy/Xiamen dialect), kan (to be grateful) + hsieh (thanks). The term was used by beggars in Chinese ports and picked up by visiting sailors during the 19th century. Earliest documented use: 1839.

USAGE:

"All those extra bodies don't necessarily increase the chances for cumshaw, according to some tip recipients."
Sean M. Wood; Tourism Doesn't Fill Their Tip Jar; San Antonio Express-News (Texas); Apr 7, 2006.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: