shylock
shylock Lexical Profile
shylock Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A ruthless moneylender or loan shark who charges exorbitant interest rates and enforces repayment through harsh or extortionate means.
"Desperate to cover his mounting debts, the shopkeeper made the mistake of borrowing money from a notorious neighborhood shylock."
• verb
To lend money at exorbitant, usurious rates of interest, often accompanied by threats or extortion.
"The organized crime syndicate was prosecuted for shylocking to struggling small business owners across the district."
Word Nuance & Usage
Because the term derives from the Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice', using 'shylock' to describe a loan shark or ruthless creditor is widely regarded as derogatory and potentially offensive due to its association with antisemitic stereotypes.
Word Origin & Etymology
Eponymously derived from Shylock, the ruthless Jewish moneylender in William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice' (c. 1596), who demands a pound of flesh as collateral for a defaulted loan.