The word ‘digs’ was commonly used to refer to the kind of rooms to let, with meals also provided, usually in a private house, often owned by a widow though also often a family home, which were familiar right up to the 1960s at least as accommodation for students, young working people, or fathers who had moved away to look for work.
It was disconcerting that ‘lodgings’ does not appear as a definition of the word digs in the OED, which does however give four C19th quotations for the word ‘diggings’ used in this sense, presumed to derive ultimately from the idea of digging a hole in the ground. And the phrase ‘theatrical digs’ appears in a quotation from the 1950s used to illustrate the history if the word actressy.
The web throws up plenty examples of digs however, for example one reminiscence about life at Birmingham University in the 1950s. And, rather more surprisingly some very up-to-date references too, for example from the Scottish National Party’s 2011 manifesto, another from the Socialist Worker, and also from a BBC guide to what a young player might expect of life at a modern Football Academy.
I suppose we might look forward to a resurgence in the provision as digs as a response to the housing crisis, both from the point of view of suppliers needing helo with rising mortgage repayments & people who just cannot hope to get their own foot on the housing ladder.
Many students live in digs or rented properties. Unscrupulous landlords often try to take advantage. We’re tackling that by introducing a scheme to help the 10,000 Scots each year who have their deposits wrongly withheld.
SNP Manifesto 2011: Students manifesto
'Work puts a strain on family': Working on contracts means going to where the job is – and often living in digs Socialist Worker Online: Issue 2274 Oct 2011
University of Birmingham Alumini Commumity: Your memories 1950s: Digs
“If the player is offered a scholarship, he'll more than likely move to live in digs near the club.” BBC Sport: Life at a football academy
