[f. TIP v.4 sense 2 (which occurs c. 1700).] A small present of money given to an inferior, esp. to a servant or employee of another for a service rendered or expected; a gratuity, a douceur: see TIP v.4 2.
1755. J. Barebones, in Connoisseur, No. 70. 417. I assure you I have laid out every farthing … in tips to his servants.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., s.v., To take the tip, is to receive a bribe in any shape; and they say of a person who is known to be corruptible, that he will stand the tip.
1818. Sporting Mag., II. 165. A handsome tip was demanded at the gate.
1825. T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Doubts & F., i. Sir Harry was liberal in his ‘tips,’ and consequently a great favourite of Phillips [the waiter].
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, xvi. What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy’s tip?
1877. Black, Green Past., xxx. Two sovereigns was the least tip to be slipped into the hands of the custom-house officer.
Mod. The porter will expect a tip.
b. attrib. and Comb.
1813. Sporting Mag., XLI. 106. The tip-money, or usual fee to the purchaser’s coachman, upon the sale of horses.
1899. Morrow, Bohem. Paris, 149. After the bill is paid, the tip-box is supposed to receive two sous for Marie and Augustine.
