tarpaper
C1Technical (Construction), Informal (Metaphorical)
Definition
Meaning
A heavy, waterproof building paper impregnated with tar, used primarily in construction for moisture protection under roofs and siding.
It can metaphorically refer to something perceived as cheap, makeshift, or providing only a basic, unsightly level of protection.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun (tar + paper). It refers specifically to a manufactured product, not just paper with tar applied on-site. The metaphorical use draws on its association with temporary or low-quality construction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'tarpaper' is far more common in American English. In British English, the functionally equivalent product is more commonly called 'roofing felt' or 'bitumen felt', though 'tarred felt' is understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of basic, utilitarian, and often temporary construction. The metaphorical use is more established in American cultural contexts.
Frequency
High frequency in American construction/DIY contexts; low frequency in British English, where alternative terms are preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to lay/roll/nail/staple] tarpaper [on/over/beneath] [a roof/wall]a [shack/shed] [made of/covered with] tarpaper[as thin/flimsy/black] as tarpaperVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tarpaper shack (a very poor, makeshift dwelling)”
- “wouldn't keep out a determined squirrel (emphasizing poor quality of a barrier, akin to thin tarpaper)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like construction supply or property descriptions of low-quality buildings.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical, sociological, or architectural texts describing vernacular or impoverished housing.
Everyday
Used in DIY/home improvement contexts or metaphorically to describe something crude or makeshift.
Technical
Standard term in American construction for a specific type of asphalt-saturated organic felt used as a secondary weather barrier.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The tarpaper-like texture of the old shed.
- A tarpaper roofing layer.
American English
- They lived in a tarpaper shack out back.
- The tarpaper underlayment is crucial for waterproofing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The roof has black paper under the tiles.
- Before laying the shingles, you need to install tarpaper.
- The old cottage was poorly insulated, with just tarpaper beneath its wooden siding.
- The novelist described the depression-era settlement as a collection of tarpaper shacks clinging to the hillside, a metaphor for societal neglect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TAR (the black, sticky substance) + PAPER. It's paper made waterproof with tar, like a primitive roof.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING; POVERTY/MAKESHIFT QUALITY IS FLIMSY MATERIAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'смоляная бумага' or 'дегтярная бумага'. The standard Russian equivalent for the material is 'рубероид' (a brand name that became generic) or 'кровельный картон/толь'. The metaphorical 'tarpaper shack' could be translated as 'лачуга, обитая рубероидом'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to tarpaper the roof' is non-standard; 'to lay tarpaper' is correct). Confusing it with 'tarpaulin' (a heavy cloth). Misspelling as 'tar paper' (two words is also acceptable, but 'tarpaper' is a standard closed compound).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, describing a building as a 'tarpaper shack' primarily emphasizes its:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, they are often used interchangeably, especially in American English. Technically, traditional 'tarpaper' used coal tar, while most modern 'roofing felt' uses asphalt. For most practical purposes, they refer to the same type of product.
No, it is not a standard verb. The correct phrasing is to 'lay,' 'install,' or 'nail' tarpaper. You 'tarpaper' a roof (incorrect); you 'lay tarpaper on' a roof (correct).
Both 'tarpaper' (closed compound) and 'tar paper' (open compound) are accepted, though many dictionaries and technical sources list it as one word.
Its primary function is to act as a secondary, water-resistant barrier (underlayment) beneath the primary roofing or siding material. It helps prevent water infiltration from wind-driven rain or ice damming and can provide a temporary weather shield during construction.