🇨🇦 Canadian Word of the Day: Chesterfield
In many parts of Canada, a sofa or couch is still called a 'chesterfield.' This term, largely archaic in the UK where it originated, held on firmly in Canadian English for generations. Not to be confused with the cigarette brand. #Canada #CanadianSlang #WordOfTheDay #Chesterfield
@Canadian_Eh Do Canadians still say "chesterfield" though? I remember my mother using the word back in the 1980s, but I haven't heard it from her lips or anyone else's in decades.
(Here in #Québec, in English, I hear sofa about a third of the time, couch two-thirds.)
@deborahh @mpjgregoire @Canadian_Eh
My mother said Chesterfield, I tend to say couch but I think my kids mostly say sofa.
@teledyn
I wonder where the rise of sofa comes from? Here in Québec, it's a term used in French, but that wouldn't have influence in most of Canada.
@mpjgregoire @teledyn @Canadian_Eh many French terms came into England through French in 12c to 17c. England had a fashion of aristocrats speaking French, at some point, that's why the fancier word is often the French-influenced word!
curtains ➔ drapes
couch ➔ sofa
supper ➔ dinner
shirt ➔ chemise, blouse
room ➔ chamber
feast ➔ banquet
Etc.
Sharing bits of Canada 'eh🇨🇦
M. Grégoire
Rob Johnston 🍁
John Francis 🇨🇦🦫🍁💪⬆️
Stella C 🇨🇦
Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦
teledyn 𓂀