flotsam
UK[ˈflɒtsəm]US[ˈflɑːtsəm]
n
the parts of a wrecked ship and its cargo that are found floating on the sea.
n
people or things that have no value or purpose and are not wanted.
Etymology
the word 'flotsam' entered english in the early 17th century from anglo-norman french 'floteson', which itself derived from old french 'floter', meaning 'to float'. this old french term has germanic origins, likely related to the old english 'flotian' and old norse 'flota', both meaning 'to float'. the '-son' suffix in the original form was a noun-forming element. the term was specifically used in maritime law to distinguish floating wreckage ('flotsam') from goods thrown overboard to lighten a ship ('jetsam') and goods that sink and later wash ashore ('lagan'). over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe any discarded or vagrant people or things adrift in society.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from anglo-norman french and is considered a simplex unit in modern english. it does not have separable morphemes based on its current spelling.
Examples
the beach was littered with flotsam from the storm.
the old docks were a haven for the flotsam of the city.
she sifted through the cultural flotsam of past decades.