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| source lainesdespyrenees |
Are you ready for a little etymology today?
So many words and expressions relate to fabrics and weaving if you scratch the surface a little.
In French, bure refers to a rough, resistant cloth of heavy weave that is associated with hooded monks, watchful shepherds, and scruffy peasants from the Middle Ages. The name for the cloth derives from burel, a heathery quality of brown, black or ecru wool.
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| source Orpostal |
This cloth was also used to cover tables. Henri Havard described the wool rugs that protected tables from ink and lessened the noise of clattering coins for money changers.
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| source planetefacility |
In the 14th century, this wooly rug became known as a bureau.
By the 15th century, it was not only the rug but the piece of furniture - be it bench, table or chest - together with the rug that was known as a bureau. The meaning, as we all know, went on to include a room for work at a bureau/desk and further, an administrative organization, i.e., bureau de poste, bureau de style, bureau of investigation....
By the 15th century, it was not only the rug but the piece of furniture - be it bench, table or chest - together with the rug that was known as a bureau. The meaning, as we all know, went on to include a room for work at a bureau/desk and further, an administrative organization, i.e., bureau de poste, bureau de style, bureau of investigation....
