Definition of broom cupboard

The term "broom cupboard" is a British English slang phrase that refers to a small and insignificant space or room, typically used for storing brooms and other cleaning equipment. The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in the mid-20th century. One possible explanation for the phrase's origin is its allusion to a small cupboard that is often found in kitchens or other utility rooms, where brooms and other cleaning utensils are stored. The cupboard is typically narrow and cramped, leaving very little space for other items, and is therefore somewhat neglected and lackluster. Another theory suggests that the phrase stems from the similarity between the size and layout of these cupboards and the broom that is stored inside them. Brooms, traditionally made of twigs or other thin materials, are similarly small and unremarkable, and are also often stored in cramped spaces. Regardless of its origins, the phrase "broom cupboard" has become a colloquial term in British English, used to describe small, unimportant, or inconsequential spaces. It has come to symbolize a state of insignificance or obscurity, and is often used to describe small offices, closets, or storage rooms in buildings that are similarly forgotten or overlooked.