the.com/collateral
the promise you put on the line when your word alone isn't enough
latin rootsFrom 'col' plus 'lateralis' — alongside, off to the side
banking spineRoman lenders demanded property pledges over two thousand years ago
grim euphemism'Collateral damage' rebrands dead civilians as accounting
the ironyYou only lose it if you can't pay anyway
home editionYour house is the bank's hostage for thirty years