What it means
Digs means your rented place, usually somewhere a bit temporary and a bit lived-in. Student house, bedsit, shared flat, work accommodation, that sort of habitat. If someone says they're heading back to their digs, they just mean they're going home to their place. It sounds warm, casual, and a little scruffy in a fond way.
Usage examples
"I am knackered, I am just gonna head back to my digs, stick the heating on and watch telly till I drop off."
"My digs in Sheffield first year were grim, the carpet was the colour of regret, the boiler clanked at four every morning, but the housemates were sound and we cooked massive spaghetti dinners every Tuesday in the dodgy oven."
"Mate, your new digs are well posh compared to the last gaff, the kitchen actually has cupboards above the sink and the shower does both temperatures, no need to keep a kettle on the floor anymore for warmth."
"I’m not staying out much longer, got an early seminar tomorrow and my digs are miles away."
"We ended up back at his digs after the pub, four of us in the kitchen eating toast and chatting rubbish till two."
Where it comes from
Digs comes from diggings, an older word for lodgings or temporary living quarters. It shows up in the 19th century and got well rooted in British and Irish usage, especially around students and people staying away from home. Over time, diggings got trimmed down to digs and the cosy rough-edged feel stuck.
Other ways to say it
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