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carsey

Polari slang for a house or dwelling — Polari being the secret coded language used by gay men, theatre folk, and market traders in 20th-century Britain.

/kˈɑɹsi/115 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

Polari slang for a house or dwelling — Polari being the secret coded language used by gay men, theatre folk, and market traders in 20th-century Britain. Carsey (also spelled karzey or khazi in its toilet sense) has a delightfully playful sound, and its Polari roots give it a sense of subcultural history. Today it occasionally resurfaces in LGBTQ+ contexts or among people who love the campy heritage of Polari. A small but evocative piece of British linguistic history.

Their carsey was decked out top to bottom — sequins on the cushions, disco ball in the hall.
Origin: From Polari, the British cant language; possibly from Italian 'casa' (house) via Romani. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(Polari) A house.

For parents

Carsey means: A house.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

For ESL learners

carsey means: A house.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: general
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