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Glite Dictionary
booby-hatch

booby-hatch

9.9
A mental hospital often used as slang for a noisy or chaotic place
  • noun
  • Slur
translation icon : manicomio
  • Family members whispered that Uncle Joe had once spent time in the booby-hatch.

Examples

  • In the booby hatch.

    The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

  • After his bizarre outburst in the meeting, some joked he was heading straight for the booby-hatch.

  • The party was so chaotic it felt like we'd wandered into a booby-hatch.

Synonyms

bordel
vsbooby-hatch
  • Slang
9.9

A very messy place or situation

refers specifically to an institution viewed as crazy or chaotic

Surface Forms

booby-hatch singular
booby-hatches plural

Morphology

booby-hatch = booby + hatch (semi-transparent) = booby + hatch

The parts 'booby' (fool) + 'hatch' (small door/opening) are recognizable, but the slang meaning 'mental institution' is idiomatic and requires cultural knowledge rather than strict literal composition.

Etymology

Booby-hatch comes from booby ('fool') plus hatch ('a small door' or 'shelter'), which gives the easy image of a 'house for fools', so it became slang for a mental hospital or any place that feels crazy or chaotic.