The phrase "house of ill repute" has been used to refer to brothels or establishments where sexual activities take place for centuries. However, this phrase is now considered outdated and offensive, which is why people have started using certain synonyms instead. Some examples of such synonyms include "brothel", "whorehouse", "massage parlor", "escort service", "den of iniquity", "red-light district", and "adult entertainment venue". Regardless of the term used, these establishments are generally regarded as places with questionable morals and often illegal activities that exploit vulnerable individuals. Overall, it's important to respect people who work in such establishments and not use derogatory terms to label them or what they do.