slum

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions
verb spend time at a lower socio-economic level than one's own, motivated by curiosity or desire for adventure; usage considered condescending and insensitive

First attested in 1812. Originally slang, in the sense "room", especially "backroom", of unknown origin.

It has been slumming in Mayfair for you, I know. — The Yellow Crayon, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
To-day, these newcomers, obviously a slumming party of youngsters bent on whatever mischief they could find, were interfering with the speaker. — Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930, Various
"When I was in San Francisco, six years or so ago, slumming parties were taking it up along the 'Barbary Coast.' — What Will People Say? A Novel, Rupert Hughes

slum area

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