Definition: A person who lends out money, at a very high rate of interest and with the threat of violence if the loan is not repaid quickly.
Example: 1) I had to see a loan shark to cover my $100,000 gambling debt.
Etymology: When you borrow money, it is called a 'loan'. A 'shark' is a big fish that is very dangerous. So a 'loan shark' is someone who lends money and is dangerous, because he will 'bite' (or attack) you if you don't repay the loan.
fonte: www.peakenglish.com
Outra forma de dizer “agiota” (além de “loan shark”) é “Shylock”, o agiota judeu antagonista de Antonio na peça “The Merchant of Venice” (O mercador de Veneza), de Shakespeare.
ResponderExcluirMauro Q.