In 62. Three Films with One Idea on Lounge Ruminator, I discuss a shift in my podcast research, the shock of HomePod’s discontinuation and three wonderful films that challenge us to think differently. 🎙

@martinfeld I’ve been meaning to ask, what does “lounge” connote in Australian? As an American, I picture you lounging by your pool, drink in hand, lost in thought. 🤔🍹

On the other hand, the last time I was on a long haul overnight flight, the BA flight attendant offered me “loungewear” to sleep in, so maybe you are in bed. 😉

@jean @martinfeld For Aussies and Kiwis, a "lounge" is what Americans call a "living room".

@dejus @jean @martinfeld Except Martin uses it differently to refer to a couch or sofa, I think. I know it's given me pause a few times that he's used it quite differently from how I'd use it!

@Miraz @dejus @jean I absolutely love that I was able to wake up and find this discussion! Sorry that I'm late to the party with my AEDST time zone... 🌏

Naturally, you are all correct in your use of 'lounge'; it's quite a versatile word! Like Jean said, indeed I do enjoy lounging on the beach or by a pool and yes David, when I say 'the lounge' or 'the lounge room', I am referring to the 'living room'. Miraz is right when she says that I most often use it to refer to the actual piece of furniture; I've never said 'couch' or 'sofa' habitually. I sit on the lounge to ruminate.

In fact, I cracked up the other day because we were looking through family videos and during a Christmas Day clip (when I was five), the family was opening presents on the floor and I asked, 'May I sit on the lounge?' 😂 I've always been a lounge guy.

Have there been any other terms that have thrown you off? 🤔

@dejus I had no idea! To me, only public "living rooms" are lounges. It would never occur to me to use that word for a room in a private home. I'm filing that one away...

@martinfeld @Miraz @dejus @jean I don't think I'd ever say ‘lounge room' because lounge ‘means' room so it's redundant. I would say ‘lounge chair' though (because lounge means room 😀). I also sometimes use it as a verb — lounging by the pool.

@Miraz @dejus @jean Yes what you say makes perfect sense, Miraz. In Australia, we tend to use it in the sense that it’s the room where that piece of furniture is. That beings said, I also hear ‘lounge’ by itself and people are increasingly saying ‘living room’.

@martinfeld @Miraz @dejus @jean It's so intriguing that even those of us who think we speak the same language enjoy such subtle differences. 🥳

@martinfeld @Miraz @dejus @jean @Cheri I'm pretty sure I've always used "living room" and "lounge room" interchangeably – I actually had no idea this was an "Australian" thing until now! 😅️ "Lounge" by itself could mean a public lounge (adding "room" implies to me that it's in someone's house), or of course be the verb, but I don't think I've ever referred to a piece of furniture as a "lounge". I just have a vague idea that it means the same as sofa or couch in that context 😅️

@dejus @miraz @jean How fascinating, @jayeless! Maybe it’s even a difference between states like NSW and VIC, as I note that you’re from Melbourne. When it comes to naming the piece of furniture, I often think of it as short for ‘lounge suite’, which is quite British, and also the featured top prize in this Monty Python sketch, which is a personal favourite!

@Pilchuck Not to mention the pronunciation of ‘chaise lounge/longue’ is a challenge and point of disagreement for many! Have we stumbled upon the most versatile noun/verb in the English language?! Haha at least in the furniture category, perhaps!

@martinfeld Haha, a great sketch! It could easily be a NSW/Victoria difference. For me, I think of "lounge suite" as a suite (or collection) of furrniture that all belongs in your lounge – like a matching couch and armchairs. I mainly just know the phrase from advertising though 😅️

@Cheri You not alone