• The term “阿窿” (ah long) was derived from the Cantonese colloquial term “大耳窿” (pronounced as daaih yíh lùhng, which literally translates as “big ear hole”) in Hong Kong. The usage of this term spread to Singapore and Malaysia, where the three-character term evolved and shortened to a two-character term, “阿窿”.
• The term “大耳窿”was said to originate from the English term “loan shark”, which was used in the United States in the nineteenth century. At that time, usury in the United States was carried out by mafias with cruel means, hence they were called “loan shark”.
• On the origin of the term “大耳窿”, there are three beliefs: first, moneylenders in Hong Kong at that time were mainly Chettiars, and many of them would wear big earrings on their ears. Another belief is that loan sharks would put coins in their ears. The number of coins they put in their ears increased over time, so their ears seem to grow in size, thus they were called “大耳窿”. The third belief is that in Hong Kong the English term “loan shark” was merged with Cantonese to form the term “鲨鱼loan “ or “shark loan”, which later evolved into the Cantonese homophonic term “大耳窿” .

Within a short period of two weeks, Ah Long ran wild in the Pasir Ris Housing Estate, and conducted two acts of loanshark harassment. They splashed paint and scribbled “big character posters” (loanshark-related graffiti) on the walls, then sent their accomplices to splash gasoline and set fire to the houses, which alerted the Police and Civil Defence personnel to the scene. （Lianhe Zaobao，21/9/2018）

大耳窿 (Hong Kong, Malaysia), 高利贷 （Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia), 非法放贷 (Mainland China, Malaysia), 地下钱庄 (Taiwan)

• Ah long often uses intimidation or violence when collecting loans and interest, causing social issues in Singapore.
• Not only is this term used in Malay newspapers, it also has an official entry in the Malay dictionary, spelled as along.