vig
C2 / Very Low FrequencyInformal / Slang
Definition
Meaning
A charge or commission taken by a bookmaker on bets placed; vigorish.
In broader slang, a fee or profit margin taken in a transaction, especially in gambling or other risky ventures.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in gambling contexts, especially bookmaking. Has a negative connotation as an unavoidable cost for the bettor. Can be extended metaphorically to any hidden or excessive fee.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Almost exclusively American in origin and primary usage. In British English, 'commission' or 'juice' is more common in gambling contexts; 'vig' is understood mainly through exposure to American media.
Connotations
In AmE, carries connotations of the gambling underworld. In BrE, if used, it is a direct borrowing with the same meaning but less cultural resonance.
Frequency
Very rare in BrE; low-frequency but established slang in AmE within specific subcultures.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: Bookmaker/Operation] charges/takes a vig[Subject: Bettor] pays/absorbs the vigVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vig up (slang: to apply pressure to collect a debt)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in formal business. May appear in informal discussions of margins or costs in risky ventures.
Academic
Virtually never used, except in socio-linguistic studies of slang or economics of gambling.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used by someone familiar with gambling terminology.
Technical
Term of art in bookmaking and gambling industry analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The operation was suspected of vigging their clients on late payments.
- (Rare) He got vigged for the full amount.
American English
- The bookie will vig you 10% on losing bets.
- They vig up debtors who fall behind.
adjective
American English
- He was deep in vig money. (slang for debt to a loan shark)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The casino's profit comes from the vig on each bet.
- Always check the vig before placing a complex wager.
- The syndicate's profitability hinged on a modest but consistent vig across all its operations.
- Critics argue the hidden vig in some peer-to-peer platforms mimics a bookmaker's model.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VIG sounds like 'big' – think of a bookmaker taking a BIG cut of your bet.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS BLOOD (vigorish/vig as a 'lifeblood' fee for the bookmaker).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как «виг» или «вига» (это транслитерация).
- Не путать с «комиссией» в банковском смысле – это специфический gambling термин.
- В русском ближайший аналог — «маржа букмекера» или «процент букмекера».
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Pronouncing it with a hard /g/ as in 'big'. It's a soft /g/ as in 'gym'.
- Assuming it is a general term for any fee.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'vig' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a real, established slang term, primarily in American English, originating from 'vigorish'.
No, it is informal slang. Use formal terms like 'commission' or 'bookmaker's margin' in academic or professional writing.
They are synonyms. 'Vig' is a clipped, more informal form of 'vigorish'.
Most would not, unless they have an interest in gambling or American crime films. The term 'overround' or simply 'commission' is standard in the UK.