Irish people most commonly call a sofa a couch, though sofa and settee are also used, with "couch" being very prevalent in Ireland and North America, while "settee" might be heard from older generations or in Northern Ireland, according to this Reddit thread and this TikTok video.
seol » Bed, couch. tolg » Couch, sofa.
The word 'settee' comes from Old English, where the word 'setl' was used to refer to a wooden bench with a bespoke, ornately carved back. It continued to refer to benches throughout the Victorian era, until eventually becoming synonymous with the upholstered sofas we know today.
Both "sofa" and "settee" terms came into use in the beginning of the 18th century. Originally the settee defined a smaller sofa, but by the 20th century the distinction was lost. Other terms which can be synonymous with the above definition are divan, davenport, lounge, and canapé.
Synonyms of couch
Some say sofa, some say settee! However, there are some interesting roots to the settee. The settee originated in the Middle Ages, and whilst it had a design more similar to the sofa as we know it, was typically made from wood, and typically featuring an elegant and intricately carved back.
The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Couch is British & Irish, which comprises 59.6% of all ancestry found in people with the surname.
However, there are subtle differences in meaning and regional distinctions, as “couch” is preferably used in American English, while “sofa” is preferred in British English.
Growing up in Chattanooga, we would refer to the sofa as a "divan" or a "davenport".
Depending on where you are in the world—or even within different households—a couch might also be called a sofa, settee, divan, or loveseat. Each term carries its own nuance and history. For instance, 'sofa' is derived from Arabic roots meaning 'bench,' hinting at its origins as communal seating.
In today's climate, there isn't a class divide over who uses which word. But back in the 1950s, if you sat on a sofa, you were seen as more upper middle class, whereas the middle class and below would relax on a couch or settee.
The French word for couch is le canapé, which is masculine and covers both sofas and couches in general conversation.
A settee is the name given to long couches from the 17th century that were similar to the modern sofa but often much more elaborate than functional. Victorian furniture featured ornate carvings, heavy and luxurious fabrics and dark hardwoods.
Lios translates as 'ringfort' or 'enclosure'. Curiously, 'lios' does not hold the same prestige as the similar terms of 'dún' and 'ráth' (see below), and does not feature in any heroic sagas.
Pogue mahone (Irish póg mo thóin, 'kiss my arse'). Source: Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable Author(s): Sean McMahonSean McMahon, Jo O'DonoghueJo O'Donoghue. A humorous Hiberno-English catch-phrase, conveying disrespect or incredulity, also sometimes used to trick foreigners into using a vulgarity. ...
While the differences between sofa and settee are few and far between, the next time you find yourself in Australia, call it a couch - and if you're in the North then go for settee.
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The nouns “sofa” and “couch” are often used interchangeably in American English to refer to a long, upholstered seat designed for multiple people to sit or lie on in the living room.
das Sofa. We were sitting on the sofa.
noun. a seat for two or more persons, having a back and usually arms, and often upholstered.
The term 'couch' stems from the French word 'coucher,' meaning to lie down. The history of this furniture item is the same as the sofa. The terms are interchangeable. However, most in the interior design industry rarely use the term couch but opt for a sofa.
For example, Murphy, Byrne, and O'Brien are a few of the oldest and most common surnames in Ireland. Some may even say Murphy is the most Irish name ever, as it's currently the most common surname in the country.
And in case you're wondering, Mitford opined that sofa was the “correct” term for the upper classes, whereas the middle classes were more likely to use the words couch or settee.
Settee, a word from Old English seti, used to describe a long wooden bench with arms and a high back. The term canape is from 18th century France, used to describe a three seat piece of furniture with a carved wood frame. To describe a sofa as a Chesterfield is a throwback to 19th century England.