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Aug 3, 2001

This week's theme
Words evolved using folk etymologies

This week's words
humble_pie
kickshaw
wiseacre
rakehell
chaise longue

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chaise longue

chaise longue (shayz LONG) noun, plural chaise longues or chaises longues (shays LONG)

A reclining chair with an elongated seat for supporting legs.

[From French, literally long chair. The prevalent variant form of this term, chaise lounge, is formed by folk etymology.]

"A pair of Air Force pilots recently locked themselves inside a closet-size metal box here for 50 hours, subsisting on cold pizza and instant noodles, amusing themselves with crossword puzzles and paperback books, and taking occasional catnaps on a fold-up chaise longue from Wal-Mart. The box was a B-2 bomber simulator."
James Dao, Stealth Bomber, Once Scorned, Gains Fresh Backing, The New York Times, Jun 26, 2001.

"In addition to the goldfish pond and fireplace, it sports a chaise lounge covered in hand-painted silk, a modest waterfall and an exercise alcove."
Patricia Davis, Home Front -- Bowl, Bath and Beyond, The Wall Street Journal (New York) Jan 8, 1999.

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