backhander

Meaning

1. A glass of wine given out of turn, the bottle having been handed backwards.
2. A blow with the back of the hand.
3. (informal) A bribe, a secret payment.
4. A shot played backhand, a backhand stroke.
5. A player who plays a backhand shot.
6. A surfer who approaches a swell with the wave behind them ("on their backhand") rather than facing the wave ("on their forehand").

Synonyms

bribe

kickback

payoff

Translations

Schmiergeld

رشا

رشوة

Bakschisch

Bestechungsgeld

Schlag mit dem Handrücken

δωροδοκία

δωροληψία

bakchich

pot-de-vin

dessous-de-table

tangente

bustarella

manrovescio

mazzetta

Etymology

From backhand + -er (patient suffix) or -er (agent noun suffix).