Pronunciation: [bɹˈɛdla͡ɪnz] (IPA) 
The word "breadlines" is spelled with a silent consonant, "d", in the middle. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈbrɛdlaɪnz/. The first syllable "bread" is pronounced with the sound "ɛ", as in "bed", followed by a "d" sound, and then the second syllable "lines" with the sound "aɪ", as in "eye", and a "nz" sound. "Breadlines" were queues of people waiting to receive food during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Breadlines refer to physically organized queues or lines of people waiting to receive food, particularly bread, that is being distributed during times of economic hardship or scarcity. This term originated as a result of the Great Depression, a severe worldwide economic downturn in the 1930s. As unemployment rates skyrocketed and poverty became widespread, many individuals and families struggled to meet their basic needs, including acquiring enough food for survival.
During this period, charitable organizations, soup kitchens, or governmental bodies would often set up locations for food distribution. These places would allocate a limited amount of bread to individuals or households based on the available supply. As a result, people would form orderly lines, also known as breadlines, in order to receive their portion.
Breadlines effectively symbolize the economic struggles and hardships faced by millions of people during times of economic crisis. They serve as a visual representation of the stark inequalities and growing poverty that often arise during such periods. Breadlines demonstrate both the level of desperation and the reliance on external assistance that many people experienced during the Great Depression. While the term initially emerged during this time, it has since become a broader symbol for any situation where individuals must line up for food handouts due to economic hardship or scarcity.
The word "breadlines" originated in the early 20th century and refers to lines or queues of people waiting to receive free or discounted food, particularly during times of economic crisis or widespread poverty. The etymology of the word can be traced back to the combination of two key elements: "bread" and "lines".
1. Bread: "Bread" is a term derived from Old English "bred", which originally meant a small, rounded particle of food, such as a morsel, crumb, or a piece of bread. It eventually came to specifically refer to the staple food made from flour or meal by baking.
2. Lines: "Lines" in this context refers to a row or sequence of people waiting in formation. It comes from the Old English word "line" meaning a rope or cord, which later developed to represent a series or formation of people.
