Working for tips, I began to hear baksheesh in the late 1960s in the northeastern U.S. Later (and not very much later) came lagniappe, which I understand is common in SW Louisiana and in New Orleans. In Latin America, they speak of la mordida ("the bite") when referring to unofficial pay-offs. La mordida bears a sense of institutionalized corruption unlike the others, which refer simply to "a little extra," voluntarily given. Lagniappe doesn't necessarily refer to money: it may refer to the extra donut in a "baker's dozen." I've never heard baksheesh used for anything except money - in fact, I've heard it used synonymously with "money," not necessarily extra money - but it may be that it can refer to non-monetary extras, as well.

Last edited by beck123; 03/06/10 01:45 PM.
"I don't know which is worse: ignorance or apathy. And, frankly, I don't care." - Anonymous