What is a gymnatorium, and when and where was the term originated?

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What is a gymnatorium, and when and where was the term originated?

Question #70602. Asked by smartie806.

lanfranco
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lanfranco
19 year member
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Answer has 3 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

I've no idea exactly when it was first used, but it is yet another portmanteau word, in this case combining "gymnasium" and "auditorium."

In my elementary-school days in the late 1960's and early 70's, we had such a space, which was also used as a cafeteria, and it was simply called "the multi-purpose room."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_portmanteaus

Sep 10 2006, 7:08 PM

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Answer 1

My school had a "gymnatiorium," which was a gymnasium with bleachers on one side and a stage on the other. They soon found that the acoustics are horrible and nothing said on the stage can be heard from the bleachers. Don't you love the intelligence of the education system...

Answer 2

blakey
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blakey
21 year member
193 replies

Answer has 2 votes.

If I have my facts right, Gymnatorium began during the days of Rome as a place for exercise.

Sep 10 2006, 7:19 PM

Answer 3

kaylofgorons
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kaylofgorons
20 year member
303 replies

Answer has 2 votes.

Our "gymnatorium" was simply called the "all-purpose room." I don't think the staff fancied the portmanteau word. I suppose it's somehow related to the "cafeterium."

Sep 10 2006, 7:27 PM

Answer 4

malarson
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malarson
19 year member
84 replies avatar

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Lac qui Parle Valley High School in Minnesota has a cafegymnatorium. I think that wins.

Sep 10 2006, 7:34 PM

Answer 5

skysmom65
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skysmom65
19 year member
1504 replies

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In my elementary school...many moons ago...I'll just say, the early 70s I think you'd call what we had a cafegymnatorium...our cafeteria, gym and auditorium where all the same room...now that's an all purpose room!

Sep 10 2006, 7:36 PM

Answer 6

kaylofgorons
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kaylofgorons
20 year member
303 replies

Answer has 2 votes.

Cafegymnatorium? How can they live with that? I suppose they have lived with it for a while now, but that word is a little hard for me to swallow.

Sep 10 2006, 7:59 PM

Answer 7

Blakey, Gymnasium, a Greek, not Roman/Latin, word, meant a place for exercise and for social/intellectual conversation. The name comes from the Greek word for "naked." The word "auditorium" also comes from the Greek, and the two have been combined in the portmanteau word "gymnatorium."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnasium_(ancient_Greece)