Flotsam and jetsam

Meaning

Assorted bits and pieces of rubbish; especially items that are found in the sea.

Examples

You could say that the cardboard boxes that I’ve moved from house to house without unpacking are the flotsam and jetsam of my life.

Where did it originate?

Britain – 19th century. Derives from ‘things that float’ and ‘things that have been jettisoned’.

Where is it used?

Mostly Britain, but more widely too.

Hear the idiom spoken

More idioms about

How the idiom originated

Browse more Idioms

About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Flotsam and jetsam