Blockbusting

/ˈblɑkˌbʌstɪŋ/ verb

Creating or producing something extremely successful and popular, especially in entertainment; or historically, using intimidation to convince white residents to sell houses to Black families at low prices.

Present participle of 'blockbust.' As a real estate term, emerged in the 1950s-60s, combining 'block' (city block) with the predatory practice of 'busting' neighborhoods through racial panic selling.

📖 Full word page — etymology, 47 translations, audio 🔑 Get Free API Key — 50 lookups/day 📚 Read the Docs — integrate Word Orb