Snob Words: Making Sense of Words You Wish You Knew, But Don't



Snob words are lexical aristocrats, highfalutin' words and phrases--often derived from foreign languages--that never appear on sixth-grade spelling tests. They're words you don't know, but feel you should know.

And because you don't know them, you often feel excluded.

For example, when Architectural Digest reveals that the actress of the moment has just installed an étagère in her pied-á-terre--and you're left racing to find a French dictionary app--you're a victim of snob words. Those fortunate enough to know the terms are in on the secret, while you're left standing behind the red velvet rope.

This blog is an attempt to demystify snob words, which show up frequently in publications that cater to well educated, upscale readers.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

bergère (bear-ZHAIR΄)

     A bergère, in contrast to an open-armed fauteuil (see post), is any armchair with closed arms, or in other words, with upholstery in the area between the arms and the seat.  Most antique bergères have rounded backs and wide seats, designed to accommodate the wide dresses worn by 18th-century society women. 
     While wide dresses are no longer fashionable, of course, bergères—especially those of the Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI periods—are highly sought after by collectors.
     “One of the conversation groupings sits under the gaze of a Botero oil painting, whose subject looks onto such exquisite furnishings as a gilded Louis XVI bergère covered in green silk velvet from Prelle and a seat made from a 17th-century Beauvais tapestry....” (robbreportcollection.com)

 Christie's, French Walnut Bergere
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