Subj : Old stuff
To   : alexander koryagin
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Thu Mar 24 2022 21:46:16

Hi, Alexander!  Recently you wrote in a message to Anton Shepelev:

>>>  Interesting too, that we sit IN a chair, but ON a
>>>  stool. :-)

AS>  Small wonder that we do, for the sitter in a chair is 
AS>  enclosed on three sides with the backrest and armrests 
AS>  -- parts that raise above the seat.

ak>  It is an armchair has it, not a chair.

ak>  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chair


          Ah... I think I see the problem.  A stool typically has three legs & no back rest or arm rests.  A chair typically has four legs & a back rest, but no arm rests... i.e. if it is a kitchen/dining room chair or the sort of cheap folding or stacking chair one must sit on to attend a play or a concert in the school gymnasium.  Yes, I said "on" in this context.  But there are many other kinds of chairs including (as you suggest) upholstered armchairs, wheelchairs, and office chairs.  The design may vary, according to the socioeconomic status of the user &/or on how much $$$ the owner is willing to invest.  For the sake of brevity any or all of the above may be referred to simply as "chairs".  I'm inclined to use "in" if the chair has both a back rest & full arm rests and if there is a human being occupying it.  OTOH Dallas or I might say e.g. "I found the xxx you were looking for & put it on your chair."  In such cases, whatever it is doesn't fill the chair & the design of the latter is irrelevant....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

.