What is the difference between a "house party" and a party at someone's house?

If someone invites me to a party, I assume it's going to be at their house (or apartment). But I keep hearing on the news about "house parties" -- usually because someone got shot at one. Is that the distinction -- if someone gets shot at your party, it was a "house party"? Or am I missing something? 🤔

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

At my boarding school, a house party was a party to which you invited girls from another boarding house (as opposed to our more regular birthday parties which were for members of the same house only). They took months of planning and were eagerly anticipated by all. The evening was typically characterised by dancing, loads of food and drink, and heated debate over who was the best Spice Girl. The noise steadily crescendoed until the party broke up, either by the intervention of an irate teacher, or when one of the guests threw up over herself.

I never witnessed anyone getting shot.