slush fund
noun phrase

- a sum of money that is kept for dishonest or illegal activities in politics or business

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN

“Slush fund" derives from 19th century nautical terminology when “slush" referred to the semi-liquid residue that remained in the barrels after salted meat had been consumed by sailors on long sea voyages. This slush was a mixture of fat, grease, and sometimes meat scraps. Sailors used it as a lubricant and to waterproof the rigging and sails on their ships.

Sailors would sometimes sell the excess slush to soap makers or use it for personal purposes. The money they earned from selling this slush was essentially extra, discretionary funds.

Over time, "slush fund" began to be used more broadly to describe any pool of money that was separate from official or regular funds and could be used for various discretionary purposes—eventually becoming associated with funds that were kept off the books and used for illicit or unethical activities in business or politics.

The greasy origins of "slush" likely explains the origin of the expression "to grease someone's palm,” meaning to bribe someone.

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SYNONYMS

- for bribery:

backdoor dealing, baksheesh, buying influence, collusion, corrupt dealings, corruption, covert payment, crooked dealing, dark arts, dirty money, graft, greasing palms (the wheels), hush money, hush-hush payment, illicit payment, illicit transaction (payment),  inducement, kickback, lubrication, pay-for-play, paying for favours (for special treatment, sway, votes), paying off, payola, protection money, racketeering, rigging, secret payment, shadowy/shady business (dealing), SLUSH FUND, sweetener, tampering, unethical dealing, unlawful influence, under-the-counter money, under-the-radar deal, undercover dealings (payment)

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, say something like:

"It's a sad fact of life that in some countries business is impossible without a SLUSH FUND.”

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