# Looking For Search Term--at a loss **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199 "2019-04-29T01:40:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/1 "2019-04-29T01:40:14Z")
I’m looking for a cover for the **head area** of a leather recliner, to prevent damage to the leather. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out a good search term. Not “furniture covers”–because that gets me stuff to cover the _whole chair_, which I’m not looking for. Suggestions? Links? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/2 "2019-04-29T01:47:36Z")
Recliner headrest covers. Still returns 99% full chair covers. [Headrest covers (protectors) on Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/market/headrest_protector) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/3 "2019-04-29T01:47:49Z")
Try “antimacassar” as a starting point… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/4 "2019-04-29T01:50:01Z")
[Antimacassar](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/antimacassar) noun a small covering, usually ornamental, placed on the backs and arms of upholstered furniture to prevent wear or soiling; a tidy. > **[Antimacassar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimacassar)** > > An antimacassar /ˌæntɪməˈkæsər/ is a small cloth placed over the backs or arms of chairs, or the head or cushions of a sofa, to prevent soiling of the permanent fabric underneath. The name also refers to the cloth flap 'collar' on a sailor's shirt or top, used to keep macassar oil off the uniform. > Macassar oil was an unguent for the hair commonly used by men in the early 19th century, and reputed to have been manufactured from ingredients purchased in the port of Makassar in the Dutch East Ind... edit - Darn you, Zeldar. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/5 "2019-04-29T01:55:19Z")
GREAT! Found it! Many 10Qs. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/6 "2019-04-29T02:14:13Z")
I was going to guess “doily,” but antimacassar is better. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/7 "2019-04-29T02:23:43Z")
If you mix antimacassar and macassar, does the _Enterprise_ get new upholstery? ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/8 "2019-04-29T03:21:27Z")
Today is a Good Day To Dye! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/9 "2019-04-29T03:37:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If you mix antimacassar and macassar, does the _Enterprise_ get new upholstery? Ideally, no. Antimacassar and macassar are (were) expected to routinely intermingle, with the intent that the upholstery would avoid the need for replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/10 "2019-04-29T22:17:10Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If you mix antimacassar and macassar, does the _Enterprise_ get new upholstery? For that, you need a Shrubbery. Or, a 1920s Style Death Ray. BTW–item is on order. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/11 "2019-04-29T22:24:32Z")
There was a poem about Dr. Edward Anti-Teller whose chairs were equipped with a macassar: [Edward Teller | In the Dark](https://telescoper.wordpress.com/tag/edward-teller/) ---
**Author:** ![cincinnatus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cincinnatus/32/7990_2.png) [@cincinnatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cincinnatus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-search-term-at-a-loss/833199/12 "2019-04-30T22:00:31Z")
Maccasar = hair goo. Antimacassar ≅ antigreaser.