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The word BRIBE originated from the old European tradition of sharing food. In the New French, the word BRIBES means bits and pieces, odds and ends, or little pieces of junk. The Old French has a less colorful meaning to it: A lump or piece of bread.
Somehow, the word evolved until it took on more shady meanings: From a piece of bread, it evolved into Begging; Earning a living by begging; Theft; and finally, blackmail.
Somehow, all of the above meanings sound better than that which we associate the word with today: The giving of a material consideration in order to influence a decision in one’s favor.
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