Definition
Wreckage or goods that float on the sea after a ship has sunk or been wrecked. The term is often paired with 'jetsam' (deliberately thrown cargo) and used metaphorically to describe scattered debris or insignificant remnants of something larger.
Example Usage
After the storm, the beach was covered with flotsam—pieces of driftwood, buoys, and other debris.
Origin
From Anglo-Norman 'floteson,' derived from Old French 'floter' (to float), with the -son suffix indicating goods.
Fun Fact
Legally, flotsam and jetsam have different ownership claims; flotsam traditionally belongs to the Crown in British law, while jetsam may belong to the ship's owner.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “flotsam” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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