Pronunciation: [ɹˈe͡ɪk ˈɒfs] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "rake offs" can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced /reɪk/, similar to the word "ray" with a k at the end. The second syllable is pronounced /ɔfs/, with the "o" sound like in "hot" and the "fs" sound like in "cuffs". "Rake offs" refers to a portion of money or goods taken by an individual or entity, usually illegally or dishonestly.
Rake-offs, also known as kickbacks, refer to illicit or fraudulent payments or profits obtained through illegal means, often involving corruption, bribery, or secret agreements. This term is commonly used in the context of organized crime, business scams, and dishonest practices.
Rake-offs typically occur when individuals or groups conspire to siphon off a portion of the proceeds from a legitimate transaction, project, or venture. This can occur in various industries, such as construction, contracts, real estate, or government projects. The individuals involved may exploit their positions of power, influence, or authority to demand or receive kickbacks, secretly diverting funds into their own pockets.
These illicit payments can occur in different forms, such as direct cash payments, inflated invoices, overpriced contracts, sham services, or offshore transactions. Rake-offs are often intentionally designed to be difficult to detect, involving complex layers or manipulation of financial records, ensuring that the illicit gains remain hidden from scrutiny.
Laws and regulations around the world strive to prohibit rake-offs and punish those involved in such practices, as they undermine fair competition, erode public confidence, and have adverse economic consequences. Additionally, international efforts, such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, aim to combat and prevent instances of corruption and illegal financial practices.
The term "rake-offs" has its origins in the mid-19th century in the United States. It emerged as slang within American underworld and criminal circles, particularly associated with gambling.
The word "rake" refers to the action of gathering up or taking a share of something, often used in the context of collecting or appropriating illegal gains. In gambling, the "rake" is the commission or percentage of the money taken by the house or the organizer of the game.
The addition of the suffix "-offs" in "rake-offs" serves to pluralize the term, implying multiple instances of taking a share or collecting commissions. This linguistic construction is common in slang words and phrases, aimed at emphasizing or intensifying the meaning.
Over time, "rake-offs" expanded beyond gambling and became more broadly associated with any illicit or unauthorized gains.
