crush-room
Definition
Noun (singular: crush-room; plural: crush-rooms) - A lobby or foyer in a theatre: A "crush-room" is a designated area, typically in a theatre or opera house, where audience members can walk, socialize, or relax during intermissions or before a performance. The term originates from the "crush" or crowd of people that gathers in this space.
Usage Examples
- (The lobby where people gather during a break in a performance.)
- (The foyer designed for socializing.)
Advanced Usage
- "to repair to the crush-room": a formal or literary phrase meaning to go to the theatre lobby.
- After the first act, the patrons repaired to the crush-room for champagne. (They went to the foyer to socialize.)
Variants and Related Words
- Crush (n/v): a crowd of people pressed close together; to press or squeeze.
- There was a crush of people at the entrance. (A dense crowd.)
- Crush-barrier (n): a barrier used to control crowds, especially at events.
- The crush-barriers were set up to prevent overcrowding. (Barriers for crowd management.)
Synonyms
- Foyer: an entrance hall or lobby in a theatre or hotel.
- Lobby: a room or area serving as a waiting area or entrance.
- Green room (in theatre): a backstage room for performers, not the same as a crush-room for audience.
Related Idioms
- "to be in the crush": to be part of a dense crowd.
- We were in the crush near the stage. (We were among the tightly packed crowd.)
Notes on Historical Usage
- The term "crush-room" was common in 19th- and early 20th-century British theatres, but it is now largely archaic or historical. Modern theatres typically use "foyer," "lobby," or "interval bar."