Are there technical differences between a sofa a couch and a davenport? Or are these merely regional/cultural names for the same thing? I grew up saying “couch”, though I’ve gravitated toward “sofa” in recent years. I’ve only ever heard a few people say “davenport”.
I suppose I could ask the same question about “bureau” vs “dresser” vs “chest of drawers”.
Well, technically, a davenport is a small writing desk:
http://www.bernardisantiques.com/furniture/davenport.jpg
But when my grandmother, who was born in Ontario, said “davenport,” she meant “couch.”
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Wasn’t Davenport a furniture manufacturer best known for their desks. Then later for their sofas, especially the ones that converted into beds?
Dictionary.com suggests the following:
Davenport: a large sofa, often convertible into a bed. (A writing desk is a second meaning.)
Divan: A long backless sofa, especially one set with pillows against a wall. (I grew up referring to one of these as a daybed.) (There are also three other definitions having nothing to do with sofahood.)
Sofa: A long upholstered seat, typically with back and arms.
Chesterfield: [After a long discourse about the Earls of Chesterfield and their tastes, the following note occurs]
Couch: A sofa. (A note indicates that it is the term of choice in reference to the object used for reclining while undergoing psychotherapy.)
Loveseat: A small sofa or chair that seats two people.
So the terms appear to be synonymous, with several having specific connotations.
In the UK we also use the term “settee” to mean sofa / couch.