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

You don't have weird vocab, you need more learned friends. grin

It is weirdly disconcerting to see the blank look on people’s faces locally when I ask them what fence means. From this thread it seems most people do know the word so now it’s even stranger!

2

3

Its is quite weird that you're quizzing "people" on their slang vocabulary though. Might that be why you're getting odd looks?

3

Both

3

4

3

2

3

1

@Finfintytint

Bonus points if you know of someone who fences antimacassars.

Can I also get a bonus point if I know someone who makes antimacassars for fences?

1

1

Macassar oil was worn by sailors and their uniforms had the first antimacassars, a flap of material to protect their uniform at the neck. Then sofas and arm chairs got them.

We ladies used to wear a pad of stuffed cotton in our armpits before antiperspirant to protect our gowns/costume/frock. Things were just so much less washable.

I often wonder what the past smelled like.

@pinkhappy

You don't have weird vocab, you need more learned friends. grin

It is weirdly disconcerting to see the blank look on people’s faces locally when I ask them what fence means. From this thread it seems most people do know the word so now it’s even stranger!

Maybe they find it weird that you go around asking everybody whether they know what a criminal fence is. I have seen plenty of crime shows, so I knew the term, I have never had cause to use it or ask people if they know what one is.

Antimacassar s such a lovely word to say too. Like halcyon, singularity and precipitate.

Anyway, back to the question. I know what both words mean.

1

I do know what a counterpane is.

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3

I’ve heard of both and know what a criminal fence is but wasn’t sure if an antimacassar was the cover on the back of a chair or a prayer cushion in a church for kneeling on. I get those two confused.

1. Literally never heard fence before but I’ve had a sheltered life!

I'd look blank if someone suddenly started quizzing me on vocabulary. It wouldn't be because I didn't know the words.