payola

[ pey-oh-luh ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a secret or private payment in return for the promotion of a product, service, etc., through the abuse of one's position, influence, or facilities.

payola

/ peɪˈəʊlə /

noun

1. a bribe given to secure special treatment, esp to a disc jockey to promote a commercial product
2. the practice of paying or receiving such bribes

Word History and Origins

Origin of payola¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; pay ¹ + -ola

Word History and Origins

Origin of payola¹

C20: from pay ¹+ -ola, as in Pianola

Example Sentences

The $7-billion-a-year record industry, periodically beset by controversies ranging from payola to drugs, is quietly exerting damage control over a potential new scandal: complaints of sexual harassment by some of the top executives in the business.

From Los Angeles Times

There remain battles to be fought, whisper campaigns to be hatched, payola scandals to be investigated.

From Los Angeles Times

It's not just the payola, but what it represents: an imperious court stacked with far-right justices who have become petty tyrants.

From Salon

It's not just the payola, but what it represents: an imperious court stacked with far-right justices who have become petty tyrants.

From Salon

But Musk’s vision of a paid product resembles payola—something utterly extortionary.

From Slate