Flophouse: meaning, definitions and examples
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flophouse
[ ˈflɒpˌhaʊs ]
type of lodging
A flophouse is a cheap hotel or lodging house, typically offering minimal amenities and catering to people with low income or those in need of temporary accommodation. These establishments are often characterized by shared rooms, limited privacy, and a generally rundown environment.
Synonyms
boarding house, cheap hotel, doss house.
Examples of usage
- After losing his job, he found refuge in a local flophouse.
- Many transient workers stay at flophouses when they arrive in the city.
- The flophouse was known for its cramped conditions and noisy residents.
Translations
Translations of the word "flophouse" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pensão
🇮🇳 फ्लॉपहाउस
🇩🇪 Flophouse
🇮🇩 rumah sewa murah
🇺🇦 пансіон
🇵🇱 dom noclegowy
🇯🇵 フロップハウス
🇫🇷 hôtel bon marché
🇪🇸 albergue
🇹🇷 ucuz otel
🇰🇷 플롭하우스
🇸🇦 فندق رخيص
🇨🇿 ubytovna
🇸🇰 ubytovňa
🇨🇳 廉价旅馆
🇸🇮 prenočišče
🇮🇸 flophouse
🇰🇿 арзан қонақүй
🇬🇪 ფლოფჰაუსი
🇦🇿 ucuz otel
🇲🇽 albergue
Etymology
The term 'flophouse' dates back to the early 20th century in the United States, deriving from the word 'flop,' which means to fall or drop down. It reflects the idea of a place where individuals, often in desperate circumstances, might 'flop' down to sleep without much thought to comfort or privacy. While flophouses were most common in urban areas during the Great Depression, the concept of inexpensive and often run-down lodging has persisted. Over the years, flophouses have been associated with transient populations, including the homeless and laborers. The term gained popularity in literary and cultural references, painting a vivid image of the struggles faced by those living on the margins of society.