slang. [Of obscure origin. Cf. next.] pl. (See quots.) Also attrib., as spiff stores, system.
1859. Slang Dict., 98. Spiffs, the percentage allowed by drapers to their young men when they effect sale of old fashioned or undesirable stock.
1890. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 April, 3/2. To balance this network of penalties a ‘spiff’ system is usually adopted, spiffs being premiums placed on certain articles, not of the last fashion.
Hence Spiff v.1 trans., to allow a certain sum as commission on (an article).
1891. Ironmonger, 19 Sept., 387. A ‘job’ chandelier, not very unsaleable, may be ‘spiffed,’ say 1s., but a more unsaleable one should bear a higher sum.
