Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

booby-hatch

noun

ˈbuːbi hætʃ

Definition

A slang term referring to a mental institution or asylum.

Examples

After his eccentric behavior, he was jokingly said to need a stay at the booby-hatch.
The old films often portrayed the booby-hatch as a bizarre and chaotic place.

Meaning

The term ‘booby-hatch’ is used informally to describe a place where people with mental health issues are treated, often implying a humorous or less serious connotation.