Hellhole Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hellhole
[ˈhɛlˌhoʊl ]
Definition
Context #1 | Noun
place
An extremely unpleasant or squalid place.
Synonyms
cesspool, dump, pit, shithole, slum.
Examples of usage
- It's a hellhole out there, with garbage strewn all over the streets.
- The prison was described as a dirty, overcrowded hellhole.
- The abandoned building had become a hellhole for drug addicts and homeless people.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural References
- The term has appeared in various movies and books, typically describing rundown houses, prisons, or war-torn areas.
- In the gaming community, players sometimes refer to particularly challenging levels or areas as 'hellholes,' emphasizing difficulty and chaos.
Psychology
- Places described as 'hellholes' can affect mental health, contributing to feelings of stress or anxiety due to their disarray.
- Environmental psychologists state that cluttered and unpleasant environments can lead to decreased productivity and motivation in individuals.
Urban Studies
- Certain urban areas are often labeled as 'hellholes' due to high crime rates, poverty, and neglect, impacting residents' quality of life.
- Urban developers may focus on transforming 'hellholes' into revitalized communities through renovation and social programs.
Literature
- The term features in various literary works to illustrate settings filled with despair, often serving as a critique of society.
- Authors use 'hellhole' metaphorically to represent internal struggles of characters, reflecting their emotional or situational turmoil.
Origin of 'hellhole'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'hellhole' combines 'hell', referring to a place of suffering, with 'hole', suggesting a dark or confined space.
- It first appeared in English language texts in the early 20th century, describing places that are very dirty or undesirable.
The term 'hellhole' dates back to the late 19th century, derived from the combination of 'hell' and 'hole', emphasizing the dreadful and unpleasant nature of a place. It is often used to describe places that are dirty, unpleasant, or dangerous.