bughouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low. The 'psychiatric hospital' meaning is outdated/archaic slang. The chess variant meaning is highly specific to that niche community.Informal / Slang / Archaic (for the 'insane asylum' sense). Technical / Jargon (for the chess variant sense).
Quick answer
What does “bughouse” mean?
A slang or informal term for a psychiatric hospital or insane asylum.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slang or informal term for a psychiatric hospital or insane asylum.
In chess, it also refers to a fast-paced chess variant played with two boards and teams. As an adjective (dated slang), it can mean 'crazy' or 'insane'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'insane asylum' sense is recognized but equally dated in both varieties. The chess variant 'Bughouse' is the common international term, but the alternative name 'Tandem Chess' is also used in both.
Connotations
Strongly negative, mocking, and insensitive when referring to a psychiatric institution. Neutral and playful within the chess community.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern general speech in both varieties. Its use would likely be for deliberate historical/period effect or within chess circles.
Grammar
How to Use “bughouse” in a Sentence
[Someone] was put in/committed to the bughouse.Let's play/set up a game of bughouse.That's a bughouse idea! (adj.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bughouse” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- After that last deal fell through, he went completely bughouse.
- That's a bughouse scheme if I ever heard one.
American English
- The constant noise is enough to drive a person bughouse.
- His bughouse theories weren't taken seriously.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing, except perhaps in historical or sociological papers discussing outdated terminology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern, sensitive everyday conversation. Recognized as old-fashioned slang.
Technical
Used specifically within the competitive chess community to refer to the team chess variant.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bughouse”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bughouse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bughouse”
- Using it in a modern, serious context about mental health is a severe register/style error. Spelling as 'bug house' (two words) for the chess term is common but the single-word form is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used to refer to a psychiatric hospital or a person with mental illness, it is considered highly offensive and derogatory, reflecting outdated and insensitive attitudes.
It is a fast-paced chess variant played by two teams of two players on two boards. Pieces captured on one board can be passed to a teammate and dropped onto their board.
Yes, but it is archaic slang. It means 'crazy' or 'insane', as in 'a bughouse idea'. This usage is also dated and potentially offensive.
The etymology is uncertain. It may derive from the slang term for 'crazy', reflecting the chaotic, unconventional nature of the game, or from other obscure sources.
A slang or informal term for a psychiatric hospital or insane asylum.
Bughouse is usually informal / slang / archaic (for the 'insane asylum' sense). technical / jargon (for the chess variant sense). in register.
Bughouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌɡhaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbəɡˌhaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Crazy as a bughouse rat (meaning: extremely insane).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOUSE full of software BUGs – it would drive a programmer crazy and need to be quarantined.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A BUILDING (a faulty/dangerous one). INSTITUTIONS ARE CONTAINERS (for unwanted people).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'bughouse' considered acceptable modern usage?