garbology

[ gahr-bol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the study of the material discarded by a society to learn what it reveals about social or cultural patterns.

garbology

/ ɡɑːˈbɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of the contents of domestic dustbins to analyse the consumption patterns of households

Derived Forms

• garˈbologist, noun

Other Words From

• gar·bol·o·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of garbology¹

First recorded in 1976; garb(age) + -o- + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of garbology¹

C20: from garb ( age ) + ology