chaise lounge

English

Etymology

American alteration of French chaise longue (literally “long chair”), due to a conflation with English lounge (the term, of uncertain etymology, is possibly a distant cognate of French long); attested from 19th century.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌʃeɪz ˈlaʊndʒ/
• Rhymes: -aʊndʒ

Noun

chaise lounge (plural chaise lounges)

1. (US) Synonym of chaise longue
   • 1921, Booth Tarkington, Harlequin and Columbine‎^[1]:

     Old Tinker, in evening dress, sat uncomfortably, sideways, upon the edge of a wicker and brocade “chaise lounge,” finishing a tiny glass of chartreuse, while Talbot Potter, in the middle of the room, took leave of a second guest who had been dining with him.

Usage notes

• Generally accepted in the US, however the original chaise longue is preferred in the UK.

References

• Michael Quinion (1996–2024) “Chaise lounge”, in World Wide Words.

Anagrams

• chaise longue