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

@Ihearab

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”.

Vaguely 1.

Also, having googled antimacassars, I really was a long way off with my guess

Both
I don't think these are regional words just that they don't come up in many conversations.

3

I've heard of an antimacassar in books but I don't think I've ever heard it said in real life, or would know how to pronounce it.

Do you mean fence as in "fencing stolen goods"? Or criminal of fence?

Perhaps these people just aren't particularly well read or educated.

3

3

1. But I’d think antimassacar is becoming rare as they’re aren’t used much.

I only know fence from trying to find local fencing lessons and finding news articles!

Can’t spell antimacassar. Obv.

3

My Great Uncle Wally became a fence in his dotage to help out the shoplifting neighbour who did his shopping. My Mum used to visit and feel obliged to buy massive blocks of cheese and baby clothes (no-one in the family had a baby at the time)

3

4

Fence, probably from reading/watching crime dramas.

The other, I’m from an era when many old people had antimacassars on chairs - presumably because of all the horrible hair oil/Brylcreem a lot of blokes used to use.

3

3

4

3

2. my gran had them.

Don’t aeroplanes (and trains) all have antimacassars still?

And yes I meant a fence as in someone a criminal sells stolen goods to who then sells it on.

I feel the word fence was said regularly on The Bill.

1. (Googles antimacassar and realises my grandmother used to have them.)

Ok so another one OP - do you know what a counterpane is?

I know what both mean but as I don’t deal or know anyone who deals in stolen goods nor do I crochet, embroider or know anyone who puts little pieces of cloth on their seats, I don’t think I’ve ever used either in a sentence.

3