Date:  Mon, 7 Apr 1997 13:19:52 EDT
From:  Larry Horn <LHORN[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]YALEVM.CIS.YALE.EDU>
Subject: Re: tipping

The sources I've checked don't provide any direct support for a derivation from
'tipple'. The relevant noun and verb 'tip' are attested in the early 1700's,
not restricted to contexts of drinking (booze), and are apparently a speciali-
zation of the broader 'touch/push' group of meanings for 'tip'. What is
quite clear is that there's about as much evidence for an acronymic source
(To Insure Promptness, or whatever) with 'tip' as there with 'fuck' (For
Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, Fornication Under Consent of the King, whatever),
viz. none (see Jesse's _The F-Word_ on the latter). For some reason, these
initialistic/acronymic folk-etymologies retain an appeal entirely unwarranted
in any fact, leaving aside attested cases like 'ikhthys' for Jesus, Hebrew
surnames like 'Katz' and 'Raschi', and a few other oldies.

Larry