Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—B

Bankrupt

Money-lenders in Italy used to display the money they had to lend out on a banco or bench. When one of these money-lenders was unable to continue business, his bench or counter was broken up, and he himself was spoken of as a bancorotto —i.e. a bankrupt.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Bankside
Bank of a River
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