cultus potlatch

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a gift for which nothing is expected in return, especially one of little value.

Quotations

1862

All that is expected being that you should give them a "cultus-patalatch" (literally, a useless present).

1894

In answer to the Bench it was admitted that the whisky was a "cultus potlatch" on the part of the prisoner.

1937

A cultus potlatch is a little gift, too small to mention. . . .

1940

At Christmas-time Chief Gregior would come and receive . . . tobacco as a cultus potlatch.