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

3

Particularly surprised about fence though.

4

3

Totally normal words, if a bit old fashioned for antimacassar. The fact autocorrect didn’t pick it up probably says all you need to know about how often it’s used now we have more disposable furniture and replace every few years instead of preserving.

3

3, but I don't remember the last time I heard someone use the word antimacassar, nor for that matter the last time I was aware someone has an antimacassar. Surely hair washing has rendered them obsolete the past few decades?

I think I know what an antimacassar is. I think I may have crocheted one!

I’m now going to look it up to see if it is what I think it is and where it came from.

Trains used to have antimacassars on the seat backs when I was little.

Off to Google criminal fence.

4

Bonus points if you know of someone who fences antimacassars.

3

1

1

@Bainne

3. They’re both perfectly ordinary words.

They may be ordinary but not exactly in common conversational use!

1. But I am a) old and b) from a family that would fit in quite nicely with the Mitchells.

I think the term fence on its own is more commonly used than criminal fence.

Both. Like a PP I love words and their meaning.

Had to double check I was correct about antimacassars but 3.

3 both

But I have no idea whether my circle of friends knows either:

An antimacassar is dreadfully old - fashioned.

A fence (criminal) would never come up in conversation if you don't know anyone who is one/nicks stuff/buys it/condones it or knows anyone who does.

I have no idea how either word could come up in conversation?

1. But to be fair antimacassars are pretty much dying out so not surprised someone had t heard of them.

Oh wow! Macassar is the district on the Indonesian island where the thing was made!

That’s quite funny. I wonder if the people of Macassar know that antimacassars are a thing!

I think the term fence on its own is more commonly used than criminal fence

Indeed, but I'm pretty sure op added in criminal in order to differentiate it from a garden fence.

1. My only superpower in life is a good vocabulary though. I don’t read widely, had a sketchy education and am of average intelligence but somehow I seem to know the meaning of more words than nearly everyone I know.

2 - I had a vague idea about fence but I had to check the definition for some more detail.

I have no idea how either word could come up in conversation?

Like this

“Have your heard Nigel got caught fencing antimacassars? Sofa the police have found 500 in his garage”.

3