vigorish

[ vig-er-ish ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a charge paid on a bet, as to a bookie.
2. interest paid to a moneylender, especially a usurer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigorish¹

1910–15, Americanism; earlier viggresh, perhaps < an adaptation in Yiddish slang of Ukrainian výgrash or Russian výigrysh winnings, profit

Example Sentences

Watch for the agency to slap still more restraints on Comcast as a vigorish for letting it buy Time Warner Cable.

From The Daily Beast

Big gambling layouts know within minutes if a table is not making its vigorish.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course, I could have let the table's six per cent vigorish take it away from me, but that would have taken longer.

From Project Gutenberg

Once in a while it gives you a little more vigorish than the other guy has, that's all.

From Project Gutenberg

"But you had enough vigorish to catch them," she pointed out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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