Is there a slang word or idiom for someone who borrows money from friends or relatives and never (or rarely) pays them back?

Question

Edit - My question doesn't refer to bank loans or credit card accounts. Nor does it refer to getting things out of other people's generosity. It is specifically about money and the putative duplicate doesn't address that. If there is no specific word for someone who never pays back his debts, then the answer here should be "there is no specific word for that".

I'm looking for a slang word or idiom for a person who borrows small amounts from friends or relatives (say US$ 50-200) and never pays them back. Usually this kind of person has low-income or is jobless. He is irresponsible, he knows he won't be able to pay his debts but doesn't care. (Perhaps because he knows nobody will be taking him to court because of US$20 or 50.)

"I wouldn't lend him one cent. Everybody knows he's a ........."

Answer 1

You can consider welch or welcher. These terms are used for people who fail to repay a small debt. The debt is usually a betting or gambling debt but these terms can be applied to other contexts as well. They are considered derogatory.

welch (n)

A person who defaults on an obligation, especially a small one.

She's a welch. That isn't hers, I lent her that watering can three years ago.

welch (v)

1. To fail to repay a small debt.
2. To fail to fulfill an obligation.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/welch

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Related questions:

• Are the terms "welsh" or "welch" (as in reneging on a bet) derogatory toward the Welsh people?
• What would you call someone who imposes on other people's generosity?
• What do you call someone who is always asking for favours?

Answer 2

Moocher--a bit old-fashioned and not much in use nowadays.

Deadbeat is a bit more general.

Or sponge.

Answer 3

Deadbeat specifically means someone who doesn't pay back money borrowed, or debts owed, ever. A deadbeat borrows, and betrays trust of family and friends.

A moocher or a sponge or a freeloader or a scrounger have similar meanings to each other, but different than deadbeat. All are cheapskates, consistently taking advantage of the generosity or obliviousness of others in a non-business context. These terms do not necessarily, or even customarily, refer to taking money, but rather, sharing a ride but not reciprocating as promised, sharing a hotel room at a convention but not contributing to the expenses etc.

It isn't especially relevant to this question, but since a highly regarded community member with an up voted answer used an ngram (not "ngam"), I will do similarly to make my case for deadbeat.

See Deadbeat versus moocher, sponge, scrounger and freeloader for the associated Google Ngram Viewer query.

Answer 4

A scrounger is a term commonly used for this kind of person:

to scrounge: (from TFD)

• To obtain (something) by begging or borrowing with no intention of reparation: scrounged a few dollars off my brother.

to scrounge: (from OED)

• Seek to obtain (something, typically food or money) at the expense or through the generosity of others or by stealth. ( from OED).

Ngram: scrounger, freeloader, sponger and moocher.

Answer 5

Sponger: Freeloader: Parasite: Leech: Bloodsucker; will all serve your purpose, but use at your own discretion as some are stronger than others. Sponger could be used quite lightly, but parasite would be harsh.

Example:

'You sir! Are a freeloading, bloodsucking parasite!'

Answer 6

In New Zealand and Australia we might use the term bludger.

Answer 7

I hear "mooch" more than I hear "moocher." To me it means someone who's always looking to get other people to give them stuff.

I don't know that I've heard "scrounger" or "scrounge" since I was a teen -- which is a long time ago.

To me, "deadbeat" is the closest word, as in "deadbeat dad," a father who owes child support but isn't paying it.

As with most slang, though, it's subjective and probably regional.

Answer 8

In the digital generation, leecher is also used. It can include other kinds of social parasitism, but the not-repaying-money scenario is a very good example for it.

As far as I'm aware, the origin is from P2P networks. But maybe there is an earlier use which was already established when the term became common in P2P.

Answer 9

Another synonym I haven't seen mentioned yet is cadger. To cadge is to persuade someone to give you something, and a cadger is someone who cadges things.

Cadger should not be confused with codger, which is a mildly derogatory term for an old man.

Answer 10

'schnorrer'--A Yiddish/German term

to describe a freeloader who frequently asks for little things, like cigarettes or small sums of money without offering a return. The English usage of the word denotes a sly chiseler who will get money out of his acquaintances any way he can, often through an air of entitlement. A schnorrer is distinguished from an ordinary beggar by dint of his boundless 'chutzpah' [offensive nerve]. Like 'moocher', 'schnorrer' does not apply to direct begging or destitution, but rather to a habit of getting things (foods, tools) by politely or insistently borrowing them with no intention of return. [Wikipedia]

Answer 11

In my circle if a friend borrowed money from another he would be called a reneger. Actually there is nothing in the world worse than a reneger.

A person who reneges.

To welsh on bets.

To consistently not honor contracts or commitments. I never make bets with Jack. He's a reneger and won't pay when he loses, but has no problem collecting when he wins.

Answer 12

Although this might not qualify as a slang, one humorous term that I have used to refer to a friend of mine is 'black-hole' in reference to the characteristic of this astronomical element which keeps sucking everything which comes near it and nothing ever comes out of it :)

Answer 13

Intended for people who ask for small loans with inconsiderable ability to pay back obligations.

loan shark: someone who never pays back.
loan junkie: someone who constantly asks for a loan.