Grease Payment Meaning

Example : 1981, Peter Grier, "US curb on overseas bribes: too prim, or simply proper?," Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jul. (retrieved 9 Apr. 2009):  Critics say there is no distinction between extortion and bribery, and that the distinction between a payoff (illegal) and a "grease" payment made to speed along normal duties (legal under the act) is unclear.2007, Mike Rast, "Webinar Prepares Local Companies for Cultural Gaps with India, China," globalatlanta.com, 30 Oct. (retrieved 9 Apr. 2009):  An important legal distinction is the difference between bribery and “grease payments,” which are paid in these countries not to affect someone’s decision-making but to speed the process of dealing with government.