IOUs
Promises to pay
IOUs are informal written acknowledgments of debt—the letters standing for "I owe you." An IOU typically records an amount owed and sometimes a promise to repay, but lacks the legal formality of a promissory note: He handed me an IOU scrawled on a napkin.
The term extends to any informal debt or favor owed: After all those late-night rides home, I've got a stack of IOUs with her.
Something that signals location
- chitInformal IOU or receipt
- tabProjection for gripping
- voucherRedeemable certificate for value
- slipMinor error or misstep
note · promissory · handwritten · scribbled · napkin · favor · gentleman's agreement · honor system
Borrowed money repaid later
- repaymentGiving back what's owed
- borrowerOne who takes temporarily
- creditorOne owed money
- lenderOne who loans money
default · arrears · overdue · indebtedness · liability · collection · payback · interest
Commitment to act
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- pledgeBinding promise given
- guaranteeFormal promise of fulfillment
- dutyRequired moral task
responsibility · covenant · bond · word · assurance · undertaking · agreement · contract
Ties that unite
- notesBrief written records
- securitiesTradeable financial assets
- treasuryStored organizational funds
- creditRecognition or payment deferral
lending · instruments · paper · commercial · receivables · payables · maturity · principal
Trust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- good faithSincere, honest intent
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
creditworthiness · reliability · honesty · integrity · confidence · expectation · belief · dependence
marker
Something that signals location
slip · note · promissory · handwritten · scribbled · napkin · favor · gentleman's agreement · honor system · handshake
loan
Borrowed money repaid later
lender · default · arrears · overdue · indebtedness · liability · collection · payback · interest · dues
promise
Commitment to act
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- pledgeBinding promise given
- guaranteeFormal promise of fulfillment
duty · responsibility · covenant · bond · word · assurance · undertaking · agreement · contract · vow
bonds
Ties that unite
- notesBrief written records
- securitiesTradeable financial assets
- treasuryStored organizational funds
credit · lending · instruments · paper · commercial · receivables · payables · maturity · principal · face value
faith
Trust without proof
- relianceState of needing support
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- good faithSincere, honest intent
reputation · creditworthiness · reliability · honesty · integrity · confidence · expectation · belief · dependence · accountability
- debtscredit card debt, car loan, student loan, loans, bank loan
- money owedbills, debts, loans, mortgages, arrears
- utilitieselectricity, water supply, public utilities, water line, gas service
- informal financecash only, under the table, off the books, handshake deal, verbal agreement
- alternative currencylocal currency, scrip, cryptocurrency, crypto, digital currency
- exchangestrading, swap, swapping, barter, bartering
IOUslegal contracts
Enforceable agreements between parties
binding agreements · promissory notes · notarized documents · bonds · mortgage agreements
IOUscredits
Units toward graduation
accounts receivable · receivables · receipts · assets · proof of payment