vigorish

noun vig·o·rish \ˈvi-gə-rish\

Definition of VIGORISH

: a charge taken (as by a bookie or a gambling house) on bets; also : the degree of such a charge <a vigorish of five percent>

: interest paid to a moneylender

perhaps from Ukrainian vygrash or Russian vyigrysh winnings, profit

First Known Use: 1912

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