6

I'm looking for a slang-word or idiom, with emphasis on the fact that the person never pays his debts. Such a person is always borrowing small amounts from friends and relatives (say, €20 or €50) because he knows it's much easier to get away with it. It can also involve bank loans and credit cards, but the main fact is that he is notorious for not paying back small amounts he borrows from friends. The term I'm looking for is a noun and would be used in a sentence such as this:

Attenzione, perché Giuseppe è un _____________ben noto.

Improve this question
6
  • What does the simbol “E$” mean?
    – DaG
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 13:19
  • E = Euro. My keybord has no character for the Euro.
    – Centaurus
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 13:20
  • 1
    Ah, okay, I was in doubt whether you meant euros or some other currency. Let me fix it for you.
    – DaG
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 13:46
  • 1
    eurosymbol.eu/keyboard
    – WGroleau
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 16:25
  • ... and to get any symbol, for example the degree symbol, just Google "degree symbol", then copy and paste.
    – andy256
    Commented Oct 6, 2016 at 3:34

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
9

I suggest scroccone:

  • Chi ha l'abitudine di far pagare sempre gli altri o di ottenere qlco. gratis.

Sabatini Coletti

Improve this answer
6
  • “Scroccone” has a more general meaning than what the OP is looking. A scroccone might want to eat for free and the like, rather than specifically borrow money with no intention to repay it.
    – DaG
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 16:00
  • 1
    @DaG - yes but that is the term I'd use in the context OP is describing. I don't think there is a "money specific" term.
    – user519
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 16:16
  • At this is the term I'd use in this situation, and honestly if someone behaves like that with money, s/he will probably do the same for non-monetary things too...
    – Denis Nardin ♦
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 17:24
  • 1
    Sorry, I didn't mean only that a scroccone tries probably to get meals more than money, but mainly that the behaviour described by the OP is very specific, while scroccone is more generic. Who behaves like in the question is probably a scroccone, but certainly not all scrocconi behave in that manner. All giraffes are mammals, but not all mammals are giraffes.
    – DaG
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 17:44
  • 1
    @DaG - I agree, but I have to insist that "scroccone" still appears the best fit here. Any other suggestion is wellcome of course.
    – user519
    Commented Oct 5, 2016 at 17:48
1

An expression that can be alternatively used instead of "scroccone" or "parassita " could also be "mangiapane a tradimento", with the meaning of profiteer. It also exists the expression "mangiatore a sbafo" with a similar meaning.

Improve this answer
1
  • "parassita" is a word I know well. It can be applied to someone who lives at the expenses of (an)other(s) but is not specific for those who borrow money and never pay their debts.
    – Centaurus
    Commented Oct 24, 2016 at 22:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.