garbology

[ gahr-bol-uh-jee ]
/ gɑrˈbɒl ə dʒi /

noun

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

Origin of garbology

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

OTHER WORDS FROM garbology

gar·bol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby garbology

garbo, garbo, greta, garboard, garboard strake, garboil, garbology, garcia, garcilaso de la vega, garcía lorca, garcía moreno, garcía márquez

British Dictionary definitions for garbologist

garbology
/ (ɡɑːˈbɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

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

Derived forms of garbology

garbologist, noun

Word Origin for garbology

C20: from garb ( age) + ology