« AND... just like that. | Main | 21 Days of Wii Fit »
August 3, 2008
Twitter Survey: Couch vs. Sofa
Conducted a little survey over at the Twitter.
Survey: Do you say COUCH or SOFA? And why?
See... I say "sofa." And I don't know why.
I hear people say "couch" all the time and I find myself saying, in my head: "Sofa. They mean sofa," as if I'm having to try and translate a foreign word or something in order to understand them clearly.
So, I decided to let Twitter help me with a quick poll (heh heh... she said POLE) and here's what I've learned.
Devin Pike (my whore) says: "Couch - it's what my family always called it. In fact, I don't think I called it a sofa when I was shopping for one today."
Okay, so people I will make famous someday who currently reside in Texas say "couch." Got it.
Mignon Fogarty (AKA Grammar Girl--so her opinion counts extra) says: "I call it a couch (and not a sofa) because that's what my parents called it." And then, when prompted by another Twitterer, followed up to say: "Now that you mention it, my parents did call it a davenport sometimes too."
Frankly, I never even heard "davenport" until I saw Wayne's World and the station owner said, "I just see two kids on a davenport..." and I had to look it up.
Jonathan Nail (LA actor) says: "I say both couch or sofa. I guess it depends on the size of the couch/sofa, or maybe how richly it is covered. :)"
I find that fascinating. That size or decorative elements cause the name choice. Hmm. Okay. Still reading.
Kirstin Benson (a most awesome person) said: "I like to attempt to keep it even. (Yes, I do actively think about this.) But, I think couch is accidentally used more often."
I love this answer. It's so OCD. Love it. Love it, love it, love it. It makes me tap things in rapid, even counts.
Colleen Wainwright (AKA Communicatrix) said: "I'm ambidextrous, as I am a greedy, wordy type. Although I draw the line at DIVAN."
And it makes me laugh like only CoCo can. Although I have to confess I don't even know how to say the word "divan," but I'm eager to learn.
Elizabeth Tindal (AKA Beffers) says: "after much pondering, I would say that my preferred word would be sofa, although in some circumstances I might use couch."
And that makes me think it might be a southern thing, seeing as Beffers is in South Cackalackie.
Joni Harbin (AKA MCJ) said: "Sofa - because I am a true Southern Belle. Same reason I say pocketbook vs purse, Coke vs soda, and Daddy vs Pop :-)"
Which nails the theory. Although I've never said pocketbook, I do say Coke and daddy, so if sofa is like those words, that would explain my use of it.
Patrick Carlyle (a super-cool cat) said: "couch all the way. in fact, i don't think i've EVER SAID THE WORD "SOFA" BEFORE NOW!!"
And that makes me really happy. Because anytime I can make Patrick do or say something he's never done or said before, it's an "I win."
Um... so...
What have we learned?
Twitter is useful for quick and dirty surveys... and sofa might just be a southern thing.
Okay, y'all. With that, I'll sign off for a few hours. ;) Looking forward to more opinions, as always. (It's like the ants vs. fleas debate of '04. I totally won that one.)
Back after a nap. Y'all be good.
Posted by bonnie at August 3, 2008 11:45 PM
Comments
Midwest representin...
1. couch vs. sofa: I think I say both, but couch more often. Though after going shopping for one this weekend, I learned that at least in Ikea-world...a sofa has 3 cushions and can be slept on comfortable by a tall person whereas a 2-cushion deal is a loveseat.
2. Pop vs. soda: pop!
3. sneakers vs. tennis shoes: tennis shoes
Posted by: Amy at August 4, 2008 2:54 AM
I LOVE THIS! YOU ROCK.
So, glad you've embraced the whole Twitter thing again. I sooo would have responded if I hadn't been out of town and profoundly internet-deprived.
For the record, I say sofa, because Spanish is my first language and sofa is, well, sofa in Spanish. I grew up in ATL, and that seems to be the term most people here use, but get this, as a transplant to the southern borough of New York, otherwise known as Miami, they say couch, so I use both with equal ease.
Anyway, my whole reason for posting is to invite you to PLURK. It's funnier than Twitter. Come drink the Koolaid.
your stalker,
Maria
Posted by: Maria at August 4, 2008 7:52 AM
Couch. Because that's what my parents called it. And I'm from Texas.
Posted by: Cole Matson at August 4, 2008 8:04 AM
Excellent! Thanks, everyone! More comments at Twitter and MySpace, natch. :)
I'm so glad to know it's a southern thing. ;) I'll embrace that.
Hee!
Posted by: Bon at August 4, 2008 11:33 AM
Well if you're really hard up, you just might call it a bed too. ;)
Posted by: CJC at August 4, 2008 6:36 PM
SOFA, SOFA, SOFA. I'm mortified that Kirstin EVER calls it a 'couch'. She knows better! p.s. We're not from the south :)
Posted by: jamie at August 4, 2008 7:44 PM
I say settee. Hey Bon.
Posted by: Cliff at August 7, 2008 2:20 PM
LOL Good point, CJC. ;)
Jamie, I love you! :) Kirstin too. ;) Y'all are awesome. SOFA!
CLIFF!! So good to see a bit of you! :) Hope you're well. {{{hugs}}}
Posted by: Bon at August 7, 2008 2:32 PM
This is certainly not following any kind of rule, but I think I might be more inclined to call it a sofa if it looks more comfortable. I certainly am not opposed to the use of either word.
Posted by: Erin at March 21, 2009 10:54 PM
Erin, I like that thinking. :)
Posted by: Bon at May 15, 2009 1:38 AM