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

4

Have just looked both up.

3, but do people actually use antimacassars any more?

All of those words. I read, watch TV etc. I'm not a criminal but I know about fences from TV dramas. I'm not a Victorian but I know about antimacassars from reading.

2

3

1

Both.

4

2 But I’m old!

1

3

3

3
but I do not move in circles where either would be used regularly.

3

3

But I always thought antimacassar is a very exotic word for such a mundane item!

I suspect this is a function of age and education, not geography.

@Ihearab

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

That immediately made me think of:

When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day...

I only know antimacassar because of MN and didn't know fence. I don't mix with many criminals though.

One of my first married arguments with my lovely shiny new husband was over how to pronounce antimacassar

1. And I have wondered about the connection with Macassar (the place) so thanks to a PP for clarifying that!

@LyndaSnellsSniff

3

But I always thought antimacassar is a very exotic word for such a mundane item!

Macassar was a hair product used by men in Victorian times. The anti-macassar prevented it from rubbing off on the chairs. People still used them into the 1970s and 80s, in fact I think my mother in law has some even though both her sons are bald. l7.alamy.com/zooms/b99bfca0671a49ce892d4aef0c06b7c8/antimacassar-on-an-armchair-in-the-living-room-at-20-forthlin-road-fdm11h.jpg

3

I hadn't read the whole thread, somebody may have already explained that. Sorry.

Macassar was an oil that men used to style their hair with.. Think Brylcreem.

This used to leave dark oily patches on armchairs, thus antimacassars were used widely to prevent this.

A fence is a no brainer, but maybe I move in dodgy circles.

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