English people use the term "settee" because it originates from the Old English word setl (or "settle"), which historically described a long wooden bench with a high back. Over time, these benches became upholstered for comfort, transitioning into the modern term for a sofa, with its usage remaining popular in British English to describe a two-or-more-seater couch, often with more traditional or formal connotations.
A settee comes from the word settle, which itself has developed from the Old English setl, which is a wooden bench. The settees variation is that it is padded. We had a settee in the 70's - wooden arm rests and a padded seat and back.
In British slang, a settee is synonymous with a sofa, a long, soft seat for two or more people, usually with a back and arms. This usage highlights the versatility of the term across different contexts.
So, while the differences between sofa and settee are small, there is a difference when it comes to dialect. Americans tend to use the word couch, alongside Australians, and South Africans. While sofa is generally used across the UK, and the word 'settee' tends to be used a bit more in the North of England.
And in case you're wondering, Mitford opined that sofa was the “correct” term for the upper classes, whereas the middle classes were more likely to use the words couch or settee.
What is a Roll Arm Sofa? English Rolled Arm Furniture by Roger and Chris
Is a settee posher than a sofa?
Is a Settee Posher Than a Sofa? In today's climate, there isn't a class divide over who uses which word. But back in the 1950s, if you sat on a sofa, you were seen as more upper middle class, whereas the middle class and below would relax on a couch or settee.
What do posh people say instead of "pleased to meet you"?
Formal Synonyms of “Nice to Meet You”
It's a pleasure to meet you. Also: It's a pleasure meeting you. Consider these synonyms the standard when it comes to meeting people in professional settings.
While often used interchangeably today, historically, a settee was a smaller, more upright, wood-framed bench with arms, offering elegance, while a sofa was a larger, fully upholstered, plush piece for lounging, stemming from Arabic for a cushioned bench. Modern usage blurs these lines, with "sofa" being the common term, but "settee" can imply a more traditional, decorative, or compact version, sometimes with visible wood, contrasting with the more casual "couch" (American) or general "sofa".
Etymology. The term couch originally denoted an item of furniture for lying or sleeping on. Couch is predominantly used in North America, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland, whereas the terms sofa and settee (U and non-U) are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and India.
In terms of sofa, Mitford suggested that 'sofa' was the correct term, whilst 'couch' and 'settee' were the more pompous terms used by the aspiring middle class.
Of the three terms, “settee” is the word with the most English origins. It's understood to have come from the old English word setl, or settle, which referred in the Middle Ages to a long wooden bench, usually made from oak, with a high wooden back.
The 2/3 sofa rule in interior design suggests your sofa should occupy roughly two-thirds (about 66%) of the wall or rug it's placed against, or the length of the space/rug, ensuring visual balance, preventing it from looking too big or too small, and creating harmonious proportions for the room. This guideline helps with furniture placement, ensuring good traffic flow and making the space feel intentional and comfortable.
In the UK, “sofa” has become the standard term for what most of us have in our living rooms. “Couch” is still understood, but it's more widely used in the US and Canada. “Settee,” on the other hand, tends to be used by older generations or in more traditional households. That said, there's no strict rule.
In British English, sofa or settee are far more common, while in American English, couch dominates. Historically, settee referred to a more formal seat, often wooden-framed and upholstered, something you might find in a traditional or classic sitting room.
Loveseat or two-seater settee, 1930, Metropolitan Museum of Art. One form – also known as "British two-seaters" – is essentially synonymous with "two-seat couch". It typically has two upholstered seats, is approximately 50" in seating length, and is typically shorter in length than a settee.
A settee is the name given to long couches from the 17th century that were similar to the modern sofa but often much more elaborate than functional. Victorian furniture featured ornate carvings, heavy and luxurious fabrics and dark hardwoods. Shop a range of antique and vintage sofas and settees on 1stDibs.
settee, an upholstered seat with back and arms (sometimes upholstered), designed to accommodate two or more people in a sitting or reclining position. The earliest surviving types, dating back to the 17th century in Europe, have sides that let down for conversion into a bed.
If you've ever debated whether to say couch or sofa, you're not alone! While they're often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences: Sofa: More formal; commonly used in British English. Couch: More casual; widely used in American English.
Toilet. This was on the original 1950s list and, to be honest, I'd rather chew glass than use the word toilet in polite conversation. It's a harsh word that was adapted from the French toilette which means your appearance, hence toiletries bag. Lavatory or loo is much more acceptable.
Blimey. Interpretation: A way of expressing surprise, amazement, or even wonder. In American English, you'd probably hear a "wow" instead. In use: "Blimey, it's late!
