bughouse etymology

Etymology

The term "bughouse" originated in the early 19th century from the slang term "bug," which meant crazy or insane. The term was likely derived from the belief that mental illness was caused by insects or "bugs" in the brain.

Meaning and Origin

A bug house, also known as a "bughouse," is an informal term for a mental hospital or a place where people who are considered crazy or mentally ill are housed.

The term has its origins in the 1800s when asylums and other institutions for housing the mentally ill were often referred to as "bug houses." The term was used to describe the often inhumane and overcrowded conditions in these facilities.

Over time, the term has taken on a more general meaning and is used to describe any place where people who are considered crazy or mentally ill are housed or treated.

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