Slimehole

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A disreputable or squalid place regarded as a den of vice or corruption
2. A dismal and dirty venue often associated with immoral conduct or unsavory characters
3. A filthy or morally questionable location perceived as a gathering spot for dubious activities or unethical behavior

Etymology: "Slimehole" is a plain compound of "slime" and "hole," with no hidden history behind it. "Slime" comes from Old English "slīm," meaning a viscous, sticky substance such as mud or the goo found in water. "Hole" is an equally old English word for a hollow or cavity. Joined together, the pair describes a murky, grimy place where the slime of the world seems to collect. The word's sense has moved from the physical to the figurative. A slimehole is typically a dingy, disreputable drinking establishment rather than anything literally wet or muddy, so the metaphor has shifted from the substance itself to the sleazy character of the place. Its meaning is essentially a judgment of the surroundings, built from two blunt, concrete words.