noun
Obsolete term for a fee or commission paid to a broker or middleman, or wages for certain services. Not used in modern Japanese.
江戸時代の帳簿には、上げ銭として仲介料が記録されている。
In Edo-period ledgers, brokerage fees are recorded as 上げ銭.
noun
fee for a prostitute or geisha
Obsolete term for a fee paid to a prostitute or geisha. Historical usage only.
遊郭では、揚げ銭という言葉が遊女への支払いを指した。
In the pleasure quarters, the term 揚げ銭 referred to payment to a courtesan.
Compound of 上げ (age, 'raising' or 'giving') and 銭 (sen, 'money' or 'coin'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; it likely referred to money handed over as a fee or payment.