Meanings
- CanadaUSslangpotentially offensiveSomething is not to be had without an exchange; there will be no deal without the required consideration or recompense.
Dr. Weiss said that what he had said was, "No grant, no research, no tickee, no washee."
1974, New York (State). Office of Employee Relations, Grievance and Disciplinary Arbitrations (volume 2, page 118)2 more examples
'I don't need money. I need information.' 'And if I don't proffer this information you'll take your business elsewhere?' Buzz nodded toward the tram car. 'No tickee, no washee. […]
1999, James Ellroy, The Dudley Smith Trio, page 191It was really important to keep the slip of paper, given as a receipt because No tickee, no washee!
2002, Barbara Ann Lambert, Rusty Nails & Ration Books, page 326
Origin
A phrase stereotypically attributed to Chinese laundry workers in centuries past, who would only return a customer's washing when the ticket (receipt) was presented. See also -ee.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
no tickee, no washee. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20tickee%2C%20no%20washee
“no tickee, no washee.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20tickee%2C%20no%20washee. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “no tickee, no washee,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/no%20tickee%2C%20no%20washee.
Source: no tickee, no washee on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.