Learn English – I don’t jew out of paying the comeuppance

etymologymeaningoffensive-languagepejorative-languageverbs

In the Quentin Tarantino film, Kill Bill 2, there is a scene between Bill and Budd where Budd says

I don't dodge guilt, and I don't jew out of paying my comeuppance

at around 2:28 in this clip. My question is what is the meaning of the verb, jew, in this context? The only fitting definition I found was from Urban Dictionary,

to renege on an agreement

but I wanted to get a confirmation and perhaps more background on how the verb is used this way since I haven't normally heard the word in this kind of dialogue. Another definition I found was

to bargain sharply with

from Dictionary.com. Although I believe that this definition is less appropriate than the Urban Dictionary definition, it could still fit into this setting.

Best Answer

This is an offensive and outdated usage of the word jew:

jew (down) (verb)

offensive: to induce (a seller) by haggling to lower his price : get (a price or a sum) reduced by haggling

-Merriam Webster

The verb jew (down) is also perceived as offensive, because it perpetuates the stereotype of the shrewd Jewish moneylender or haggler.

-Dictionary.com

jew SB (out) of STH (verb)

seeems to go even further, meaning to cheat someone completely.

The only reference I can find with this version of the verb is in the same one you quoted, Urban Dictionary.com

I do not recommend that you use this verb, as it is offensive.

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