"Debtors' debts" synonym

Question

Hello!

Suppose I lend money to other people. So they become my debtors. Can I use "Debtors' debts" phrase when I mention the money they owe me? In other words does "Debtors' debts" sound ugly or ok? Is there a short synonym phrase with the same meaning which could be easy understood by ordinary people?

Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't exactly call it "ugly," but it does sound a little stupid. I notice you use "debtors' " in the plural. So are you looking for a phrase to mean all the money owed to you by all debtors, as a single sum, or that amount owed by a single debtor?

"Accounts receivable" comes to mind, but I think of that more as a list of names and amounts together, describing debts which are now payable, or perhaps overdue. ("Payable" is probably a bad word here, because from your point of view, accounts payable are the ones which you are supposed to pay. I meant, "payable to you, not by you.)

When someone owes you money, it may not be due for another five years. Are you thinking only of debts which are past due?

I also think of "my outstanding debts," but I'm afraid "ordinary people," as you say, would be as confused as I am as to whether they're owed to me or by me. ("My outstanding credits" is not a natural thing to say.)
I've verified that "my outstanding debts" flows in the direction of "my debtors' debts," but I don't think this would be widely understood.
(In legal wills I find the expression, "I would like this to be paid with money from my outstanding debts.")

- A.

Clive · Answer

hi,
In everyday speech. I'd say that when someone talks about my debts, they almost always are referring to money that they owe to other people.

For the 'other direction', in everyday speech we tend to avoid the word 'debt' and say, instead, things like ' the money that people owe me'.

Best wishes, Clive

Avangi · Answer

Clive In everyday speech

Hi, Clive,
I'm reminded of the two versions of "The Lord's Prayer" I grew up with. In church, we said, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." In public school, we said, "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." I always liked the less wordy one.

Merry Christmas, - A.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Avangi, I'm guessing you grew up either Presbyterian or Congregationalist. Those are the only ones I know of that use the debts/debtors -- and that's what I was thinking when I read this thread too.

Daff · Answer

AvangiI notice you use "debtors' " in the plural. So are you looking for a phrase to mean all the money owed to you by all debtors, as a single sum, or that amount owed by a single debtor?

Yes, I mean all the money owed to me by all debtors...

When someone owes you money, it may not be due for another five years. Are you thinking only of debts which are past due?

The second.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply! Now I see that this task is not so simple as it may seem at first! But I have another idea.
Suppose in July we (my family members) borrowed money from some of our friends and in August we lent money to other friends. Then can I describe our financial statement at the end of december in this way:

Financial Statement at the end of December:
We owe: $***
Debtors owe us: $***

Will it be acceptable?

Avangi · Answer

daff Financial Statement at the end of December:
We owe: $***
Debtors owe us: $***

Will it be acceptable?

This should be clearly understood by everyone. As Clive has said, some may find it a bit out of style, or old fashioned, or legalistic.

I'm not sure why, but in casual conversation "debtors" often has a negative connotation, like "deadbeats." I guess everybody owes, but nobody likes to admit it. Perhaps it goes back to the days when we had "debtors' prisons."

Merry Christmas. - A.

Avangi · Answer

Grammar Geek Presbyterian or Congregationalist.

My mother said we were Northern Baptists, but I believe we got as wet as the Southern Baptists.

Daff · Answer

"Debtors' debts" synonym

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_{Thanks to everyone for help!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!}

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