cataphile

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English

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WOTD – 14 July 2024

Etymology

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PIE word
*ḱóm
A cataphile (sense 1) in the Grand réseau sud, a network of old underground quarries in Paris, France.

Borrowed from French cataphile, a blend of catacombe (“catacomb”) +‎ -phile (suffix denoting one who loves a thing).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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cataphile (plural cataphiles)

  2. A type of urban explorer who visits the ancient catacombs and quarries linked by tunnels beneath Paris, France. [from late 20th c.]
    • [1984 April 23, Christina de Liagre, “Fast Track: The French Underground”, in New York, New York, N.Y.: New York Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 32, columns 1–3:
      At a time when being "in" has meant staying in at night, the city's catacombs, the Gallo-Roman-vintage quarries from which Paris was built, have managed to lure le tout Paris, now known as cataphiles, troglos, and nouvelles taupes ("moles")—and la salle Z, fifteen chambers in the 250 kilometers of vaulted tunnels, has become the endroit of the moment. A stroll from la salle Z brings the cataphiles, by clearly marked street signs, to the underground bunker used by the Germans during the Occupation, or to the underground crystalline fountain of Sainte Marie for a midnight splash, or to the outlying ossuaries where flea-market dealers get the skulls they sell for 300 francs.
      A use of the French word.]
    • 1988 October 28, Elaine Ganley, “Cataphiles haunt city of darkness under Parisian streets”, in Jim Butler, editor, Alexandria Daily Town Talk (Section C (Living)), volume 105, number 226, Alexandria; Pineville, La.: McCormick and Company, →OCLC, page C-3, columns 3–5:
      Philip, who uses only his first name, said: "This world is divided into two races, the tourists and the cataphiles. The tourists are a hated race. … You have to do everything to chase them out." […] "There have always been cataphiles, but perhaps in the past they were more respectful," [Michel] Laroche said. "It is not a sacred place, but it is our patrimony."
    • 1995 April 25, Mark Franchetti, “Tales of the city: Paris: Terror by torchlight: Rotting catacombs are a playground for French youth”, in Ian Hargreaves, editor, The Independent, number 2,657, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 18, column 5:
      [T]he mystery and mystique of its narrow passages and vast caves has proved too enticing. Cataphiles young and old dig new holes and cut through the locks at night to roam around and hold parties and raves. […] Cataphiles share a few well-guarded secrets. Most confidential of all is which entrances they use to get into "the labyrinth".
    • 2004 October 6, Joelle Diderich, “Police play cat and mouse with new French underground”, in The Scotsman‎[1], Edinburgh: The Scotsman Publications, JPIMedia Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2004-10-15:
      DEEP beneath the streets of Paris, police are playing a game of cat and mouse with a band of explorers who have turned the city's underground tunnels and chambers into their personal playground. The so-called cataphiles, equipped with waders, torches and rucksacks, drop in through manholes to explore disused medieval quarries and catacombs, spray graffiti and throw parties. […] Skilled cataphiles elude police by ducking into corridors or moving in the dark.
    • 2005, David L. Pike, “The Modern Necropolis”, in Subterranean Cities: The World Beneath Paris and London, 1800-1945, Ithaca, N.Y.; London: Cornell University Press, →ISBN, caption of figure 2.24, page 177:
      Notre Dame de dessous la terre [artwork by Damien Jacob, text by Jean-Pierre Pécau, 2001]: […] The artist is a former cataphile, and the series is replete with subterranean history and folklore.
    • 2007, Valerie Broadwell, “The Cataphiles”, in City of Light, City of Dark: Exploring Paris Below, [Bloomington, Ind.]: Xlibris, →ISBN, page 4:
      Unlike a cataphile, being that far below the surface felt extremely unnatural. If there were an emergency or if I really panicked and decided that I wanted out, how in the world would I get back up? There was no quick way out.
  3. (by extension) An individual who explores subterranean catacombs, mines, or quarries.
    • 2013 December 2, Peter Ross, “Exploring derelict Scotland with urban explorers”, in The Scotsman‎[2], Edinburgh: The Scotsman Publications, JPIMedia Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2024-06-18:
      Urban exploration has many subcultures, each with its own fetishes and slang. There are rooftoppers, builderers, cataphiles and those with a taste for "ruin porn" – artfully lit photos of decaying masonry and Rorschach water stains.

Translations

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Further reading

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Anagrams

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