GREASED PALM Meaning and
Definition
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The term "greased palm" refers to a phrase commonly used to describe situations where someone bribes or pays off another person in order to gain personal advantage or favors. It derives from the image of applying a greasy substance, like oil or fat, on one's hand as a symbolic representation of providing a monetary bribe.
In this context, the act of "greasing one's palm" typically involves offering money or valuable goods to someone in a position of power or influence, such as a government official, employer, or authority figure, in order to secure preferential treatment, illicit benefits, or to expedite a particular process. The bribery can occur in various forms, including in cash, gifts, or even kickbacks.
The implication of this phrase is that the exchange of money or goods essentially "greases" the corrupt transaction, making it smoother and more favorable for the recipient. It often involves exploiting a person's authority or influence for personal gain, at the expense of fairness, justice, or ethical standards.
The act of greasing palms is widely condemned and considered illegal in many jurisdictions, as it undermines integrity, transparency, and trust within various institutions and systems. It perpetuates a culture of corruption and unfairness, eroding the principles of meritocracy, equality, and justice.
Overall, "greasing palms" refers to the act of bribing or paying off someone to gain an unfair advantage, often involving the exchange of money or goods for personal benefit.
Common Misspellings for GREASED PALM
- grease palm
- greese palm
- freased palm
- vreased palm
- breased palm
- hreased palm
- yreased palm
- treased palm
- geeased palm
- gdeased palm
- gfeased palm
- gteased palm
- g5eased palm
- g4eased palm
- grwased palm
- grsased palm
- grdased palm
- grrased palm
- gr4ased palm
- gr3ased palm
Etymology of GREASED PALM
The idiom "greased palm" can be traced back to Old English and Middle English roots. The word "grease" originally refers to the oily substance derived from animal fat. In various contexts, "grease" has been associated with slipperiness, lubrication, facilitation, or bribery.
The term "palm" in this idiom refers to the hand, specifically the palm of the hand, which is often used to hold or receive something. In this case, it signifies the act of offering or receiving a bribe in the form of money.
When the two words "grease" and "palm" are combined, the idiom "greased palm" emerged to describe the act of greasing or lubricating one's hand, symbolically representing bribery or illicit financial transactions. It gained popularity over time, ultimately becoming a well-known expression for engaging in corrupt practices by offering money as an incentive.
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