vigorish
9.9
A very high illegal interest charged by loan sharks
- noun
- /ˈvɪɡərɪʃ/
- Jargon
:
usura
- Many gamblers complain about the vigorish added by the bookmakers on every bet placed.
Examples
-
Far as I know he was vigorish on six-for-five loans.
-
The loan shark charged a high vigorish that made it impossible to pay back the debt.
-
Borrowing money from illegal lenders often comes with a steep vigorish that traps borrowers in debt.
Synonyms
10
9.9
A fee added to bets and loans by someone who lends money or takes bets
is an unlawful or excessive rate rather than a routine commission
10
9.8
To charge very high or illegal interest on loans
focuses on a specific unlawful rate often used by criminals or gambling
How High
vigorish
- Jargon
usury
10
9.8
- Specialized
10
9.8
interest
641
3.3
- Specialized
641
3.3
origination fee
1
6.3
- Specialized
1
6.3
Surface Forms
vigorish singular
vigorishes plural
Etymology
Vigorish comes from the same Russian выигрыш ('winnings') and came to mean the extra money a lender or gang takes, like a 'share' added to what you owe. That's why people use it for an illegal or very high rate of interest.