flotsam and jetsam

Idioms  

1. Discarded odds and ends, as in Most of our things have been moved to the new house, but there's still some flotsam and jetsam to sort . [Mid-1800s]

2. Destitute, homeless individuals, as in The mayor was concerned about the flotsam and jetsam of the inner city . [Second half of 1900s] Both words originated in 17th-century sailing terminology. Flotsam literally meant “wreckage or cargo that remains afloat after a ship has sunk.” Jetsam meant “goods thrown overboard from a ship in danger of sinking in order to give it more buoyancy.” Both literal meanings remain current, although the distinction between them is often forgotten.

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Example Sentences

He recommends self-nudging, deliberately tuning our media inputs and scrolling practices to reduce time spent mentally fending off the internet’s flotsam and jetsam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Even though Polk was severely injured, Faulkingham said, he was safe and felt God was watching as flotsam and jetsam from his boat was pushed ashore.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

Nearly a year and a half after the full-scale Russian invasion, the war remains a supply line of sorts for Reva, a never-ending tide tossing up new flotsam and jetsam.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2023

"They're looking for flotsam and jetsam, they're looking for coins. Not many of them are looking for bits of Mars like I am."

From BBC • May 31, 2022

He handed Penelope the object in question and went on his way, calling over his shoulder, “Can’t have flotsam and jetsam in the flower beds, no sirree!”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood