129. Flophouse

Kyle and Emily flop down for a quick snooze, but before they drift off to sleep they discuss the meaning and history of the word flophouse.

Our hosts are talking about the lives of (and distinctions between) tramps, vagabonds, and the homeless. Kyle discusses the effects that the Civil War and the Great Depression had on homelessness in America, and Emily learns how the first transcontinental railroad impacted that culture as well.

But soon our hosts leave frontierland trains behind, in favor of urban flophouses. They discuss how the lives of the homeless gave new meaning to the word bohemian, how the Salvation Army and others provided dubious sanctuary, and why you probably don’t want to stay at a hotel on Skid Row.

Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.

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Produced by⁠ ⁠Seth Gliksman⁠⁠, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily Moyers

Main theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore