davenport (sofa)

The term is used as a synonym for "sofa" or "couch" in some Great Lakes regions of the United States, especially the Upper Midwest and Buffalo, NY–Erie, PA areas.Jøhndal, Marius et al. (2018) [2004-2006]. "[https://dialectsurvey.wordpress.com/ The UWM Dialect Survey]". Cambridge University. It was used in the Adirondack Region and the Tug Hill Plateau amongst those born there before World War II.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} The so-called davenports of the northern New York region are often sofa versions of the locally manufactured convertible Adirondack chair.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

The word has come to mean a more formal sofa among the younger generations. In the Tug Hill and Adirondack regions in New York, a davenport may refer primarily to a couch which, like a modern futon lounge, converts on pivoting hinges from a sofa to a bed.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

In other areas of North America, the word davenport is used for a futon-style sofa with storage under the seat area.

A "large upholstered couch," 1897, apparently named for the manufacturer. Earlier (1853), it was "a kind of small ornamental writing table." The proper name is attested from the 12th century, from a place in Cheshire (Old English Devennport).{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/davenport|title=davenport | Origin and meaning of davenport by Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}

A similar word, Daveno, also refers to a sofa or couch. The term was more widely used in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

• Davenport desk
• Divan (furniture)
• Sofa bed

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• {{wiktionary-inline|davenport}}

Category:Couches