English edit

Etymology edit

By analogy with closet, and due to the association of witchcraft with brooms.

Noun edit

broom closet (plural broom closets)

  1. (figuratively, often humorous) The metaphorical place in which a Wiccan's religious identity is hidden.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see broom,‎ closet.
    • 1988 February 26, Jack Clark, “Who Killed Jay Brunkella?”, in Chicago Reader[1]:
      The backup team would be crouched in some tiny broom closet, with sweat rolling down their faces and their backs growing stiffer, and the jackrollers would just walk by.

Translations edit