commie block

English

A typical commie block in Warsaw

Noun

commie block (plural commie blocks)

1. (derogatory) A large apartment complex, especially in former Eastern Bloc countries of Eastern Europe, characterized by concrete and rectangular cuboids, similar to a plattenbau.
   • 2010, Mick Flynn, Bullet Magnet: Britain's Most Highly Decorated Frontline Soldier, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

     The hospital was made up of grey, old-style Commie blocks.

   • 2011, Marco Villa, 21:30 OLD COMPTON FAIR BLUE 6 FEET, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 81:

     The hotel was a former Commie-block, converted into a cheap 0-star hotel with broken windows, dirty dishes and uncomfortable single beds.

   • 2012, Chris Hunter, Steve Cole, Tripwire, Random House, →ISBN, page 105:

     Grunting with effort, his heavy pack weighing him down, he propelled himself over the wall into the grounds of the commie block.

   • 2013, Sarah Ryle, The Making of Tesco: A Story of British Shopping, Random House, →ISBN:

     Allcock was one of about forty Tesco people who eventually came out to join Walastyan, who admits to having felt isolated in his 'commie block' flat.

Translations

a large apartment complex, especially in former Eastern Bloc countries in Eastern Europe, characterized by concrete and rectangular cuboids

• Finnish: neukkukuutio (fi)
• Hungarian: panelház (hu)
• Russian: панелька (ru) (panelʹka)
• Swedish: kommunistblocket
• Ukrainian: хрущо́вка f (xruščóvka)