Talk:Great room

Latest comment: 2 years ago by D A Patriarche in topic Origin

Origin edit

'The term "great" room originated in Southern California in the 70's when a homeowner worked with an interior designer for a remodel of such a room. The owners, parents of three girls, had called the room the "Girls' REcreation And Television room" for years.'

That's the way the article ends right now. It sounds bogus. I will remove it. If you know any real history, please add it, with sources.

I thought the term was used hundreds of years ago. [see below] --D Anthony (I ♥ parentheses) Patriarche (talk) 14:45, 5 May 2021 (UTC) But I can't be sure.Reply

In modern usage, the term seems somewhat pretentious -- the article should say that. -69.87.203.184 (talk) 00:25, 27 December 2007 (UTC)Reply

Usage edit

I had never heard the term "great room" until today. My family had one of these rooms when I was a child, but they referred to it as the "family room." (I called it the "living room.") I think a section about the term "great room" would be useful. When was it first attested? What are some other terms for the same concept? The article describes the history of the concept, but not the history of the term. 71.58.213.140 (talk) 22:27, 27 April 2014 (UTC)Reply

I just came across it in George MacDonald's novel Lilith (1895). It's not a particularly good example, as the room described is probably not double height, and forms the central part of a rambling library (the original library having 'encroached' over many years on the other rooms of the ground floor), rather than being multipurposed, but it does indicate the term was in use at least that early. It's also an example of prior British use, as opposed to being a strictly American term. However, I suspect earlier (& better) examples could be found. --D Anthony (I ♥ parentheses) Patriarche (talk) 14:35, 5 May 2021 (UTC)Reply