fat farm

noun

, Slang.

1. a sanitarium or a resort that specializes in helping people lose weight.

fat farm

noun

1. slang.
   a health farm or similar establishment to which people go to lose weight

Word History and Origins

Origin of fat farm¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Idioms and Phrases

A clinic or resort where people go to lose weight, as in She spends all her vacations at a fat farm but it hasn't helped so far . This is a somewhat derisive term for such an establishment. [ Colloquial ; 1960s]

Example Sentences

He weighed an astonishing 15 kilograms—three times more than the average macaque—before he went to the monkey equivalent of a fat farm.

From Science Magazine

I’m starting to suspect Chef Howie is trying to drum up business for some secret fat farm he has invested in.

From Seattle Times

Instead, Taylor says, it will send recruits who aren’t fit enough to what he calls “the fat farm,” a special program to get newcomers up to standard before they start basic training.

From Washington Post

After dinner he went out for his nightly exercise walk, using the pedometer he had brought home with him from the fat farm.

From New York Times

Fitness vacations have ventured far from the fat farm.

From Reuters