speakeasy
C1Historical / Informal / Nostalgic
Definition
Meaning
An illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages during the period of Prohibition in the United States.
More broadly, a secret or unlicensed bar, club, or venue. In contemporary usage, it often describes a retro-style, exclusive, or hidden bar that evokes the 1920s aesthetic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is strongly associated with the 1920s-1930s in the US. Modern usage typically involves deliberate historical reference or a marketing theme, rather than actual illegality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and is predominantly associated with American history. In British English, it is understood as a historical Americanism. The UK had its own illicit drinking venues (e.g., 'shebeens'), but 'speakeasy' is not used for those historically.
Connotations
In AmE: Strong historical and cultural resonance, evoking jazz, flappers, gangsters. In BrE: An exotic, imported concept with similar but less deep-rooted nostalgic connotations.
Frequency
Much more frequent in AmE. In BrE, it appears in contexts discussing US history or describing themed bars.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/This/Their] + speakeasy + [was located/operated/sold]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(figurative) 'a speakeasy of ideas' (implying a clandestine exchange)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in hospitality marketing to brand a bar with a nostalgic, exclusive theme.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies texts about Prohibition America.
Everyday
Used to describe a bar one has visited that is hidden or styled after the 1920s.
Technical
Rarely used in a technical sense outside historical discourse.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No standard verb use)
American English
- (No standard verb use)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb use)
American English
- (No standard adverb use)
adjective
British English
- They loved the speakeasy decor.
- He runs a speakeasy-inspired cocktail lounge in Shoreditch.
American English
- The place had a real speakeasy feel.
- She wore a speakeasy-style flapper dress to the party.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a speakeasy in an old film about America.
- My grandfather told stories about visiting a speakeasy when he was young.
- The new cocktail bar downtown is designed like a 1920s speakeasy, with a hidden door behind a bookcase.
- The cultural impact of the speakeasy extended beyond mere drinking; it became a symbol of rebellion and a catalyst for social change during Prohibition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: To get a drink, you had to 'speak easy' (quietly) at the secret door to avoid the police.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY IS CONCEALMENT / THE PAST IS A THEME
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится буквально. Прямой перевод 'легко говорить' бессмысленен.
- Не является синонимом для современного обычного 'бар' или 'паб'.
- Коннотации незаконности и исторической эпохи теряются при переводе просто как 'бар'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to any bar or pub.
- Misspelling as 'speak easy' (two words).
- Assuming modern speakeasies are actually illegal.
Practice
Quiz
In modern usage, the term 'speakeasy' most accurately describes:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, modern speakeasies are almost always fully licensed legal businesses. They use the theme and hidden aesthetics for novelty and exclusivity, not to evade the law.
It comes from the practice of patrons having to speak quietly (or 'easy') about such a place in public to avoid police attention. The term was documented in the US in the 1880s but became iconic in the 1920s.
Yes, but it will be understood as referencing the American concept. It is not used to describe historical British illicit drinking dens.
No, it is informal and historical. In formal historical writing, it is appropriate, but in other formal contexts, phrases like 'illicit drinking establishment' might be used instead.
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