Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A house where those who congregate disturb the peace, cause a public nuisance, or engage in illegal conduct.
Etymologies
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Examples
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vendingmachine commented on the word disorderly house
The newspaper report of 1 September featured in the comments suggests that Annie Anderson may have been involved in prostitution. This is made more explicit in a report of a later arrest in the Shields Daily Gazette for 21 July 1904, 'disorderly house' being a euphemism for brothel.
"At North Shields Annie Anderson (34) was charged with keeping a disorderly house in Liddell Street on July 1st. Sergt. G. Scougal proved the case. Chief Constable Huish said that the prisoner was convicted for a similar offence on March 28th of this year, and committed for one month. Immediately she came out of prison she went back to the room and continued to carry on the house in the same manner as before. The complaints received by the police about it were serious. Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for three months with hard labour".
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29295370@N07/6628772201
December 17, 2019
bilby commented on the word disorderly house
Can't help relating the connotations to the Parliamentary Speaker demanding "Order! Order! The House will come to order."
December 17, 2019