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Derelict House
DER-uh-likt HOWS
Definitions
1
Places · Buildings
Common
A dilapidated, abandoned house in poor condition, typically with structural damage, missing parts, or signs of neglect and decay.
Used to indicate abandoned properties, urban decay, or places that have fallen into disrepair.
Found this 🏚️ while hiking today. Wonder what stories it could tell.
Instagram caption
The neighborhood has too many 🏚️ that need to be demolished for safety reasons.
Community forum discussion
Often associated with ghost stories, urban exploration, or commentary on economic decline in certain areas.
2
Metaphorical · State
Uncommon
Metaphorically represents decline, neglect, or something that has deteriorated from its former state.
Used figuratively to describe neglected situations, relationships, or systems that have broken down.
My career feels like a 🏚️ after the company restructured.
Private message
Can symbolize economic hardship, abandonment, or nostalgic references to the past.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Introduced in Unicode 8.0 as part of expanded building emoji set.
Growing interest in urban exploration and abandoned places photography.
2018
Gained popularity in social media posts about urban exploration and 'ruin tourism'.
Rise of Instagram accounts dedicated to abandoned buildings.
2020
Used in discussions about economic impacts of pandemic on housing and businesses.
COVID-19 pandemic effects on commercial properties and housing stability.
Cultural Context
Often represents economic decline, particularly in post-industrial areas where abandoned properties symbolize lost prosperity and community change.
The imagery connects to the 'ruin aesthetic' that has fascinated societies since the Romantic era, where decaying structures evoke melancholy and reflection on impermanence.
Popularized through social media hashtags like #urbex and #abandonedplaces, where photographers document forgotten buildings.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often used to reference historical buildings that have fallen into disrepair.
United States
Often associated with 'haunted houses' in American culture, particularly around Halloween season.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less frequent usage, mainly in practical contexts about property issues or renovation projects.
Gen_Z: Used in TikTok urban exploration videos and horror story contexts. Often paired with spooky or aesthetic filters.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in community discussions about neighborhood conditions or historical preservation.
Millennials: Used in Instagram posts about abandoned places, urban exploration, and commentary on housing markets.
Common Combinations
🏚️👻
Haunted house or ghost story setting.
Popular around Halloween or when discussing spooky abandoned places.
🏚️➡️🏠
Renovation or restoration of a dilapidated building.
Used in home improvement contexts or urban renewal discussions.
🏚️🔥
Burning or demolition of an abandoned building.
Used in discussions about controlled demolitions or accidental fires.
🏙️🏚️
Urban decay or contrast between developed and neglected areas.
Used when discussing economic inequality or gentrification.