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

[Lynn Ronkainen]

The tall 'chest' with cupboard on one side, desk on the other and drawers 
beneath, is commonly (and only to my knowledge) found in antique stores 
here. I'm not sure what it is called, but not a bureau.  There is also a 
tall what appears to be a chest and about waist height, the false front of 
one of the apparent drawers drops down and pulls out for a nicely 'hidden' 
desk. I've also only seen these in antique stores and have no idea if they 
are still made or what they're called.  I laugh when I realize that the 
'age' at which furniture is considered an antique has included many more 
items in that category since antique furniture first caught my eye 45 years 
ago! LOL

Lynn

My email has changed to: houstonKLR at gmail.com

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck

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From: "Roger Stokes" <roger.stokes65 at btinternet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 4:43 PM
To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Terminology query (was Re: speaking of 
downsizing...)

> On 31/03/2015 22:20, Lesley de Voil wrote:
>> Yes, sometimes in Australia a bureau can refer not only to a covered
>> writing desk, but also to a combination small (<5ft high) hanging
>> wardrobe with an even smaller nest of drawers with a mirror over,
>> incorporated  beside it. Both seem to be remarkably lacking in modern
>> furniture emporia.
>
> I would be more inclined to call that simply a tallboy. Looking up my 
> Concise English Dictionary I see it does note an American usage as a chest 
> of drawers.  I find that usage hard to reconcile with the etymology from 
> the French for baize which would be used on a writing desk.
>
> Roger, somewhat tendentiously