Lois’s answer to “In your "five gods" stories, you use the word "vail" as a noun in a way that implies a gratuity or …” > Likes and Comments
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I found it used in a book "Daily Life in 18th Century England" talking about something written by Defoe by searching "vails for servants".
Ok I'm satisfied; including Defoe as a reference has convinced me. Although, supposedly "tip" dates from the Restoration, so it really should be acceptable, but I agree that "vail" just sounds better.
The OED has vail as a noun with examples from 1450-1902 for a entry last updated in 1916
1904 Times 20 Aug. 12/6 English visitors measure their vails..with discretion..in America.
I heard it used when I was in Ireland in the mid 90s. And it was used to designate a tip.
The Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition) shows the noun ‘vail’ as meaning an advantage, benefit, or profit; can mean a tip or a bribe. The word in these senses has been in use since the 15th century, but is now archaic or dialect.
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Jean
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Nov 26, 2016 08:26AM
I found it used in a book "Daily Life in 18th Century England" talking about something written by Defoe by searching "vails for servants".
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Ok I'm satisfied; including Defoe as a reference has convinced me. Although, supposedly "tip" dates from the Restoration, so it really should be acceptable, but I agree that "vail" just sounds better.
The OED has vail as a noun with examples from 1450-1902 for a entry last updated in 19161904 Times 20 Aug. 12/6 English visitors measure their vails..with discretion..in America.
I heard it used when I was in Ireland in the mid 90s. And it was used to designate a tip.
The Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition) shows the noun ‘vail’ as meaning an advantage, benefit, or profit; can mean a tip or a bribe. The word in these senses has been in use since the 15th century, but is now archaic or dialect.
