# Word Needed for the Space Under a Desk **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 7, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546 "2011-09-07T21:42:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/21 "2011-09-08T03:35:51Z")
Kickspace, man! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/22 "2011-09-08T03:49:01Z")
The Big Lewinsky. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/23 "2011-09-08T04:10:35Z")
According to Ronald Reagan – a nuclear waste storage site. [“All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk.”](http://writeofcenter.com/2008/11/01/ronald-reagan-on-nuclear-waste/) ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/24 "2011-09-08T05:06:02Z")
Good question. Went to OSHA and another site I lost where they give average desk heights, but n.g. Best idea would be to write to a furniture expert at Sotheby say, for a guess. Any takers? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/25 "2011-09-08T14:46:48Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > [“All the waste in a year from a nuclear power plant can be stored under a desk.”](http://writeofcenter.com/2008/11/01/ronald-reagan-on-nuclear-waste/) That’s just silly. Where would I put my bag? ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/26 "2011-09-08T16:05:31Z")
Footwell, as previously mentioned, is a very good analogous term from the automotive industry. I think most people would understand what you mean if you use it in this context. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/27 "2011-09-08T16:19:21Z")
can we call it the ‘legroom’? “He’s hiding in the desk legroom.” though i’m not sure how that’s better than simply “He’s hiding under the desk.” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/28 "2011-09-08T19:27:07Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > That’s just silly. Where would I put my bag? In the nuclear waste dump. There’s plenty of room, now that they’re putting the waste under desks. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/29 "2011-09-08T19:41:51Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I just googled it (like everyone else I’m sure) and amongst all the references to kneehole I did happen across one random person calling it a kickspace. Could that be what you were thinking of? At the very least it _sounds_ better then kneehole and I think most people would immediately know what was being talked about. Especially if the word desk was nearby. I’ve heard it called “kickspace” since the 70’s. . ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/30 "2011-09-08T19:42:28Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Kickspace, man! I came to post this, and I’d like to second, … erm …, third it. I’d seen it called that on blueprints, and such, and that’s what I use to describe “that part in built-in desks what where your legs go.” I make it a point of reminding people who are designing say, a laboratory layout, “computer keyboard and monitor goes _ **there** _, not elsewhere, and some instrument you stand up to use goes _ **elsewhere.** _” Not that they always listen, but its a good start to planning a layout. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546/31 "2011-09-08T22:55:04Z")
> [@Arkcon](#): > > I came to post this, and I’d like to second, … erm …, third it. I’d seen it called that on blueprints, and such, and that’s what I use to describe “that part in built-in desks what where your legs go.” I make it a point of reminding people who are designing say, a laboratory layout, “computer keyboard and monitor goes _ **there** _, not elsewhere, and some instrument you stand up to use goes _ **elsewhere.** _” Not that they always listen, but its a good start to planning a layout. We have a new winner! Duck, cover, and you better come on in my kickspace, baby, it’s goin’ to be raining outdoors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-needed-for-the-space-under-a-desk/595546.md?page=1)