kopi money

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Singlish:

kopi

+

English:

money

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

noun

  1. (euphemism) a monetary bribe, usually paid to a corrupt official or authority, said to be enough for the receiving party to buy a cup of kopi with

    2. Nearer home, it is known as kopi money. Whatever word is used, it means the same thing: Money that oils the palm to get a deal through, whether it is to get something through customs or to climch a multi-million dollar contract.

    — 1982 December 17, Lim Yoon Lin. The Straits Times, "All-out war against corruption". p.22

    synonyms:

    kopi lui
  2. (rarer) small amounts of money for daily necessities

    3. synonyms:

    kopi lui

related:

kopi kelong kopi-O licence