to think I have strange vocab

[pinkhappy]

I recently moved to a new city. I had some new friends round and discovered that not one of them had heard of a (criminal) fence. This is a word that everyone I knew before would have known.

Then I was listening to the radio and they used the word antimacassar which I had never heard of. Turns out everyone in my new city knows it.

So, a poll. Do you know

1. what a (criminal) fence is only

2. what an antimacassar is only

3. both

4. neither

1

3

I too love the very random nature of this thread. But it feels significant.

Kind of want it to be incorporated in a press conference - maybe Monday. ‘Whitty: “Next slide please”’. And there, in all its glory, will be our raw data making a small contribution to something or other !

2

Haven't antimacassars just grown into 'throws' that protect the whole piece of furniture nit just the bit by the head :)

3
But I'm old and read a lot of fiction growing up.

3
Ditto

1

I realise my kids have a completely different frame of reference though one has started reading Penguin Classics in lockdown.

3

As a bonus I even know (without looking it up) why antimacassars are so called - they date from when men used to use macassar oil to smooth their hair down, so if they rested their head against a soft chair, over a period of time the oil would spoil the fabric. The antimacassar, which could easily be washed or replaced took the brunt of the oil to save the soft furnishings.

Alan Bennett fan.

4

The ‘Mac casser’ bit was something to do with hair oil. Interesting word.

3 Not really unusual words to know.

LA cross post. Amazing what very random tidbits we have swirling around out befuddled brains !

3

3

. I find random things like that really interesting, Heron.

I know but I'm wondering why it sounds like you're trying to belittle your friends or sound superior to them. Nobody needs to know what an antimacassar is, not drop it into conversation.

3

I know what a fence is. It is more specific than just a criminal, it is someone who deals with stolen goods. But never heard anyone used in real life just TV. Maybe people who are involved with stolen goods or police officers use it, but it is not a common term outside of those situations. If someone I knew used it I would laugh and tell them they've been watching too many cop shows.

Never heard of the other word.

4

2

1 isn't a word

you mean criminal offence which you jolly well know