My grandparents used the word davenport to describe an informal couch, one that might be in an outside room or porch, but not in the formal living room, that was a sofa.
A closet was called a " clothes press".
Trying to think of other words, phrases similar to those.
We called the couch or sofa a Davenport when I was a kid. My grandparents used the term press. Their closets in the old farmhouse were shallow and had hooks to hang clothes on. As a kid I thought they were called a press because they were so full you had to press the doors to latch them. There were two doors hinged on the side and latched in the middle.
What do you call tidying up a room, not actually cleaning but picking up and putting things in their place? We have always said “red”. As in, “we have company coming, let’s get this place red up!”
There is a great book called “Talking Appalachian” that you may want to check out.
The word 'davenport' was easily recognizable to me, but I don't exactly remember where in my childhood I heard it used. The word 'press' was not as recognizable. Growing up on a fruit farm, I thought you were going to talk about a cider press.
My grandparents used the word davenport to describe an informal couch, one that might be in an outside room or porch, but not in the formal living room, that was a sofa.
A closet was called a " clothes press".
Trying to think of other words, phrases similar to those.
We called the couch or sofa a Davenport when I was a kid. My grandparents used the term press. Their closets in the old farmhouse were shallow and had hooks to hang clothes on. As a kid I thought they were called a press because they were so full you had to press the doors to latch them. There were two doors hinged on the side and latched in the middle.
What do you call tidying up a room, not actually cleaning but picking up and putting things in their place? We have always said “red”. As in, “we have company coming, let’s get this place red up!”
There is a great book called “Talking Appalachian” that you may want to check out.
Yes, my family here used "red" rather than clean up or tidy up.
I'll have to look for that book - thanks!
We used a word I've not heard elsewhere. I'm not even sure how to spell it. "Peewaddin." As in, "That scared the peewaddin out of me!"
The word 'davenport' was easily recognizable to me, but I don't exactly remember where in my childhood I heard it used. The word 'press' was not as recognizable. Growing up on a fruit farm, I thought you were going to talk about a cider press.
Ha! I still have my grandparents' lard press!