What it means
A backhander is a bribe, usually cash or some sneaky little favour slipped over so a decision goes your way. It’s dodgy, under-the-table stuff, and the word’s got a strong British whiff to it. You hear it around councils, contracts, inspectors, politics, and any setup that looks a bit bent.
Usage examples
"Everyone reckons the builder only got the council job after slipping a backhander to the bloke in procurement, now they’re all acting innocent."
"The contract only went through after a hefty backhander to the official."
"He swears the inspector took a backhander to look the other way."
"You don’t get planning approved that fast without a backhander changing hands somewhere."
"He keeps calling it a consultancy fee, but everyone in the office knows it was a backhander."
Where it comes from
Backhander is older British English. It first turned up in the late 19th century for a strike with the back of the hand. The bribery sense came later in the 20th century, tied to money or favours passed discreetly and off the books. That sideways, sneaky feel is built right into the word.
Other ways to say it
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