cumshaw

[ kuhm-shaw ]

noun

1. a present; gratuity; tip.

cumshaw

/ ˈkʌmʃɔː /

noun

1. (used, esp formerly, by beggars in Chinese ports) a present or tip

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumshaw¹

1810–20; < dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) kam siā, equivalent to Chinese gân xiè grateful thanks

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumshaw¹

C19: from pidgin English, from Chinese (Amoy) kam siā, from Mandarin kan hsieh grateful thanks

Example Sentences

The man who really holds the key to the situation is a gentleman named Abel Cumshaw.

From Project Gutenberg

I think that's about all, unless to remind you that Mr. Albert Cumshaw will be entitled to his fair share of the spoils.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Cumshaw stopped to tea and made himself very much at home, and afterwards he told us the story of the gold escort.

From Project Gutenberg

"If Mr. Cumshaw would stop to tea," Moira suggested, and looked to me for approval of her proposition.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meanwhile Bradby and Cumshaw had doubled back on their tracks and were heading for the Grampians.

From Project Gutenberg