[Magdalen] Terminology query (was Re: speaking of downsizing...)

[Marion Thompson]

I'd call that a desk, writing or otherwise.  My bureau is a chest of 
drawers this side of the Atlantic.

Marion, a pilgrim

On 3/31/2015 5:10 PM, Roger Stokes wrote:
> On 31/03/2015 20:00, Jay Weigel wrote:
>> Me too. I was supposed to get my grandma's dining room table which 
>> graced
>> my parents' dining room for many years after Grandma moved to 
>> Tennessee to
>> live with them, but I have no place for it so I willed it to my 
>> daughter. I
>> do have Grandma's bureau, which was part of her first bedroom suite;
>
> This side of the pond a bureau would be found in a living room or 
> office.  It has drawers and a writing surface that can be concealed 
> either by folding the flap up or, less common in domestic settings, a 
> roll-down shutter.  Behind the sriting surface are up right dividers 
> and possible some small drawers. Generally that area can be locked.
>
> Marion's reference to a tallboy bureau and this comment from Jay 
> suggest we are talking about two very different items of furniture.
>
> Roger
>