Definition of the word flotsam

The word "flotsam" has a fascinating history. It originated in the 15th century from the Old English words "flot" meaning "to float" and "sam" meaning "remnant" or "remainder". Initially, flotsam referred to the floating wreckage of a ship, such as debris, driftwood, or even corpses, that had been swept overboard or had broken off during a storm or battle. Over time, the term expanded to include other types of floating material, like seaweed, icebergs, or even toys and trash carried by water currents. Today, flotsam is often used metaphorically to describe something that is leftover, discarded, or useless, having lost its original purpose or value. Despite its grim origins, the word has become a common and harmless part of our language, often used in contexts unrelated to maritime disasters.