A person who shares an apartment or flat with others, typically splitting rent and living expenses.
British compound word combining 'flat' (apartment) and 'mate' (companion). 'Flat' comes from Old English meaning level surface, later applied to single-floor dwellings. 'Mate' derives from Middle Low German meaning messmate. The compound emerged in British English as urban living became common.
The term reflects British vs. American housing culture - Americans typically say 'roommate' even when they don't share a room, while Brits distinguish between 'flatmates' (separate bedrooms) and actual roommates. This linguistic precision mirrors the British tendency toward specific social categorization!
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