In the UK we rent accommodation called a flat. We go "flathunting" and have a "flatmate" or "flatmates".
Why? Why is the property called a flat?
2006-11-27 22:34:40 · 14 answers · asked by gitbits 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The real reason is that "flat" is an archaic word for "storey" of a house or other building, so it used to refer to having one storey or floor of a house or an apartment building.
2006-11-27 23:33:51 · answer #1 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England most houses are at least two stories tall, as opposed to an apartment where you take a "flat" slice from a tower block.
The terms have the same meaning, although apartment tends to be used (at least in London) to describe larger, airier accomodation. Flats a beginning to hold the connotation of something slightly cramped or dingy.
2006-11-27 22:36:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All one flat level = flat, Maisonette, comes from the French for house = maison, bungalow is from India, a one level house.
2006-11-27 23:19:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a bugalow is called a bungalow because it's like a house but you bung a low roof on it.
That might not be true
2006-11-27 22:43:14 · answer #4 · answered by markhatter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flat: Chiefly British. an apartment or suite of rooms on one floor forming a residence.
so prolly cause of the 1 floor thing... i'd imagine
[Origin: 1795–1805; var. of obs. flet, OE: floor, house, hall; akin to flat1]
2006-11-27 22:42:53 · answer #5 · answered by tera_the_giga_dragon_bytes 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
cos it used to all be on one level? As opposed to a duplex. house...I am guessing here really
2006-11-27 23:16:05 · answer #6 · answered by michael s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at a guess because its all on one floor - i.e flat floor (having no stairs)
2006-11-27 22:36:04 · answer #7 · answered by D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because it is all on one level so it is flat.
2006-11-27 23:17:26 · answer #8 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
flat is called a flat coz it is flat.
2006-11-28 00:37:16 · answer #9 · answered by Roopa R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why is a house called a house? why is a bungalow called a bungalow?
2006-11-27 22:36:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋