skimmings
What's scraped off
Skimmings are the material removed from the surface of a liquid—the foam skimmed from boiling jam, the fat skimmed from stock, the dross skimmed from molten metal.
The word implies waste or impurity, the unwanted layer that rises to the top: The skimmings went into the compost.
Figuratively, skimmings can mean profits taken illicitly off the top of revenue.
Surface residue or lowlifes
- impuritiesUnwanted substances within something
- drossMetalwork's floating refuse
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
- residueMatter left behind
froth · debris · sediment · dregs · lees · refuse · chaff · contamination
Clarified, concentrated stock
grease · foam · scum · impurities · simmered · ladled · stew · soup
Rich milk fat
- butterfatLipids from dairy
- milkMammalian nursing fluid
- wheyLiquid from curdled dairy
- curdsCoagulated milk solids
clotted · risen · separated · raw · unpasteurized · homogenized · ghee · butter
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- profitsFinancial surplus after costs
- revenueBusiness income total
cash · unreported · pilfering · diversion · creaming · misappropriation · kickbacks · laundering
scum
Surface residue or lowlifes
- impuritiesUnwanted substances within something
- drossMetalwork's floating refuse
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
residue · froth · debris · sediment · dregs · lees · refuse · chaff · contamination · film
consommé
Clarified, concentrated stock
fat · grease · foam · scum · impurities · simmered · ladled · stew · soup · surface
cream
Rich milk fat
curds · clotted · risen · separated · raw · unpasteurized · homogenized · ghee · butter · lactose
embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- profitsFinancial surplus after costs
revenue · cash · unreported · pilfering · diversion · creaming · misappropriation · kickbacks · laundering
skimmingssettlings
Material that sinks down
sediment · dregs · lees · depths · precipitate
- skimming offTaking a hidden cut
- card skimmingIllicit capture of payment credentials
- ATM skimmingFraudulent card-data capture
- cash skimmingTheft before recording sales
- cream skimmingTaking only the best