Early 1900s
Still common
Definition
A thrift or charity shop.
Example Sentence
"Found this jacket at the op shop for five bucks."
Where "Op Shop" Comes From
"Op shop" is short for "opportunity shop", a term for charity retail stores that dates back to early 20th-century Australia.
The name reflects the idea of a shop offering an opportunity - both for shoppers to find bargains and for charities to raise funds.
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's used for any secondhand charity store, from Salvos to Vinnies to local church shops.
Op-shopping has grown increasingly popular as a budget-friendly and sustainable way to shop.
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