hockshop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicInformal / Slang
Quick answer
What does “hockshop” mean?
A pawnbroker's shop.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pawnbroker's shop; a place where items are exchanged for a loan.
A derogatory or slang term for a pawnshop, emphasizing its nature as a place where financial desperation is exploited.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from American slang. While potentially understood in the UK, it is not a standard term there and would be considered an Americanism. The more common UK term is simply 'pawn shop'.
Connotations
In both dialects, it carries the same negative, down-market connotations. Its use implies a judgmental or critical view of the establishment.
Frequency
Very rare in contemporary use in both the US and UK. Found mostly in historical novels, detective fiction, or period films.
Grammar
How to Use “hockshop” in a Sentence
[Subject] pawned [Object] at the hockshop.The [Object] ended up in a hockshop.He frequented the hockshop on [Street Name].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hockshop” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The watch was unlikely to be found in a reputable jeweller's, having last been seen in a grimy hockshop near the docks.
- He had a tale of woe for every item retrieved from the hockshop.
American English
- In the old neighborhood, the hockshop was a last resort for folks down on their luck.
- The detective found the stolen necklace in a downtown hockshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in formal business contexts.
Academic
May appear in historical or sociological studies of urban poverty and informal economies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. If used, it's to sound deliberately old-fashioned or colorful.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hockshop”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hockshop”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hockshop”
- Spelling as 'hawkshop'.
- Using it in a neutral or positive context.
- Assuming it is a current, common term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered rare and archaic. You are much more likely to hear 'pawn shop'.
It comes from the verb 'to hock,' meaning to pawn, which itself likely comes from the Dutch word 'hok' meaning prison or pen.
Generally, no. It is informal, slang, and dated. Use 'pawnshop' or 'pawnbroker's' for neutral, modern descriptions.
The meaning is the same, but it is distinctly an American slang term. It would be recognized but rarely used in British English.
A pawnbroker's shop.
Hockshop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒk.ʃɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːk.ʃɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everything but the kitchen sink went to the hockshop.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old **Hock**ey player who had to **shop** all his medals at a pawnbroker's. HOCK + SHOP = HOCKSHOP.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESPERATION IS A MARKETPLACE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'hockshop' be LEAST appropriate?