Etymology Map
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Boodle

2 stages from Dutch to English.

Today it means money, especially gained by bribery

Where does the word "boodle" come from? It comes from Dutch boedel, adopted directly into English (1830s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
boedel
Dutch · 1600s
"property"
an estate or household property
2
Stage 2 of 2
boodle
American English · 1830s
"bribe money"
New York slang for a crowd, then for bribe money in Tammany Hall politics
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Boodle’s story begins in Dutch: boedel meant “property.” An estate or household property. It reached English by 1830s as boodle. New York slang for a crowd, then for bribe money in Tammany Hall politics. Today, boodle means money, especially gained by bribery.