crate-digger
/ˈkreɪt ˌdɪɡ.ə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A person who searches through old records, boxes, or crates to find valuable or interesting items. It often suggests patient, careful searching, especially for forgotten music, books, or collectibles.
- She's a crate-digger for rare vinyl.
- The museum hired a crate-digger to sort old archives.
- He's known as a crate-digger at record fairs.
Adinary Nuance
Crate-digger is more specific than collector or shopper. It suggests active searching through piles, boxes, or old stock, not just owning things. It also feels more informal and cultural, especially around music, books, or vintage items.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- người lùng đồ cũ
- Spanish
- buscador de gangas
- Chinese
- 淘旧货的人
- Japanese
- 掘り出し物を探す人
- Korean
- 헌물 찾는 사람
Etymology
This word comes from the image of digging through crates or boxes for hidden items. It is modern English, linked to record collecting and second-hand shopping.
Common phrases
crate-digginga crate-digger's findlove of crate-digging
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is crate-digger a formal word?
- No. It is informal and often used in music or hobby contexts.
- What is the difference between crate-digger and collector?
- A collector owns things. A crate-digger looks through boxes to find them.
- Is crate-digger used for books only?
- No. It can also be used for records, clothes, antiques, and other second-hand items.