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

The stake of a free bet isn’t paid out with any winnings, meaning a successful $200 free bet at even odds returns roughly $190, accounting for the sportsbook’s built-in advantage, or vigorish.

From Washington Post

Businesses might decide to absorb some wage increases and other costs, such as fuel, without passing them all on to consumers and tacking on additional vigorish.

From Los Angeles Times

With money lines, vigorish refers to that split.

From Los Angeles Times

Moreover, Ernst is on record as favoring the privatization of Social Security, which means turning over the most successful government program in history to Wall Street, so that bankers can extract their vigorish.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the vigorish, also known commonly as the “vig” or the “juice” - the bookmaker’s cut of the action.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• fee