brick-and-mortar
Meaning
Relating to or being a traditional business operating out of a physical building, as opposed to an online or virtual business.
Structure
Usage
Many consumers still prefer the experience of shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.
The company started online but is now expanding with brick-and-mortar locations.
Brick-and-mortar bookstores have faced significant challenges from online retailers.
Etymology
The compound "brick-and-mortar" is a modern metaphorical extension of the literal construction materials used to build physical structures. It emerged in the late 20th century as a direct contrast to the then-novel concept of "virtual" or online commerce. The phrase leverages the concrete, tangible nature of bricks and mortar to symbolize the traditional, physical presence of a storefront or business location. Its logic is purely descriptive, painting a vivid picture of a solid, grounded establishment to distinguish it from its intangible, digital counterparts.
Analysis
brick: From Middle English brike, from Old French brique, of Germanic origin. Functions as a noun representing a physical building material. and: From Old English and, ond, a conjunction used to link words. mortar: From Old French mortier, from Latin mortarium (bowl for mixing, mortar). Functions as a noun representing the binding material used in masonry.