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


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



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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