Revision History

loadingDate    Editor    Name ID    Change Summary
6/9/2023, 2:32 PM Mike C shylock added (from user-submitted name 9199)
4/3/2019, 12:36 AM SeaHorse15 9199
5/15/2007, 6:54 AM quigonjecca

Gender Masculine
Pronounced Pron. /ˈʃaɪ.ˌlɑk/(English)

Meaning & History

Used by Shakespeare, possibly from the Hebrew name Shelach, for the primary antagonist in his play The Merchant of Venice (1596). Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who demands a pound of Antonio's flesh when he cannot repay his loan. Subsequent to the play, the name has been used as an ethnic slur for a Jewish person and a slang term for a loan shark.