The world or district of clubs; the sphere of exclusive club culture and membership; areas of cities known for having many clubs.
From 'club' plus 'land' (meaning 'territory' or 'region'). British term emerging in the 19th century to describe the areas (like London's St. James's) where gentleman's clubs clustered.
London's St. James's district became legendary as 'clubland'—a neighborhood where wealthy men could walk from one exclusive club to another without ever really leaving the club world, creating a parallel social universe separate from ordinary London.
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