underworld
UN-der-wurld
/ˈʌndərwɜːrld/
The world of organized crime; also, in mythology, the place of the dead.
Suggests a hidden, parallel society with its own rules, hierarchies, and economy that exists 'beneath' the surface of normal life.
The story behind the word. Originally, the 'underworld' was the mythological realm of the dead (like Hades). In the 17th century, the term began to be used metaphorically to describe the 'lowest' classes of society, and by the 19th century, it specifically meant the hidden world of professional criminals.
Word relationships
- gangland: Specifically refers to the world of violent gangs.
- the shadow economy: A more clinical, economic term for the financial side of the underworld.
- high society: The most fashionable and wealthy social group.
Commonly confused with
- subculture: A subculture is any group with distinct beliefs; the underworld is specifically criminal.
Collocations
- criminal underworld
- underworld figure
- infiltrate the underworld
- underworld connections
Example sentences
- "The detective spent years infiltrating the city's criminal underworld to gather evidence against the syndicate." Describing a city's crime scene.
- "In the underworld, a man's reputation for violence is his most valuable currency." A journalistic observation.
Memory hook
Think of a world that exists 'under' the floorboards of the city. The underworld is the world 'under' the law.
When not to use
Do not use for a single criminal act; it refers to the entire social environment of crime.
Fun facts
- The term was popularized in the 1920s by 'hardboiled' detective fiction.
- In mythology, the underworld is often guarded by a multi-headed dog like Cerberus.
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