perquisite
noun

- a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages; especially: one expected or promised

- an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages

- an advantage or benefit, such as money or goods, that you are given because of your job

Merriam-Webster, Dictionary Com, Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word perquisite comes from Medieval Latin perquisitum, meaning "thing gained" or "profit". Breaking it down further: per- = "thoroughly" or "completely”, quaerere/quisitum = "to seek" (past participle: quisitus). So literally, a perquisite is something "thoroughly sought" or "diligently acquired."

The term entered English in the 15th century, originally referring to property or profit gained beyond regular wages or salary—essentially extras or benefits that came with a position. This is why we still use "perks" (a shortened form of perquisites) today to mean the extra benefits or privileges that come with a job, like a company car, free meals, or travel allowances.

Interestingly, the word shares its Latin root with other English words like: acquire (to gain or obtain), inquire (to seek information), require (to seek as necessary), quest (a search or pursuit). All of these relate back to that central idea of seeking or searching for something.

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THE PERQUISITES OF A FAITHLESS SERVANT

When Dennis Kozlowski’s second wife hit the magic age of 40 in 2001 -- only a few months after they wed -- the former Tyco CEO went all out. He threw a weeklong Roman-themed party on the island of Sardinia -- replete with scantily clad models, chariots and an ice-sculpture vodka fountain made to look like Michelangelo’s David. Tyco, now based in Switzerland, paid half of the $2 million tab. Tyco also paid for a dog-shaped umbrella stand ($15,000), a gold-plated waste basket and artwork in Kozlowski's mansion. Four years later, he was convicted of grand larceny for misappropriating millions in shareholder assets for his own benefit.

Kozlowski’s personal spending was justified as “executive perks,” but prosecutors disagreed. In 2005, after a long legal fight, he was convicted of grand larceny, securities fraud, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to between 8 and 25 years in prison and ordered to repay $134 million, along with personal fines of $70 million. By the time of his release in 2014, his wealth was almost entirely gone.

Tyco later sued him under New York’s “faithless servant” law, forcing him to return every penny of pay he had earned during the years of misconduct. After eight years behind bars, Kozlowski walked out of prison a penniless man. He now lives in a modest apartment in Manhattan with his third wife, whom he met during his time in prison. In a 2013 parole hearing, he finally admitted what had driven him: “greed, pure and simple.” 

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

additional benefit, a little something extra, benefaction, benefit, bonus, emolument, entitlement, exceptional benefit, extraordinary favour, fringe benefit, gilt-edged advantage, golden ticket, gravy, perk/s, PERQUISITE, recompense, special consideration (dispensation, indulgence, prerogative), stroke of luck, supplemental benefit, sweetener, token of esteem, unearned benefit, unique concession, unmerited favour, upper crust advantage

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“PERQUISITES on declarations forms are examined very carefully by tax authorities.”

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P L E A S E   S U P P O R T   O W A D