Slaw bed

Posted by Nancy on September 27, 2005

In Reply to: Slaw bed posted by ESC on September 27, 2005

: : : Does anyone know the origin of "slaw bed"? It looks like the forerunner of our Murphy bed but was probably used around 1700.

: : Do you mean to say that you have seen a picture, or have a reference from around 1700? Some context would help, to save me from the awful disgrace of saying the phrase conjures up the picture of a bed of cabbage. SS

: I've looked in my references, especially regional slang, and haven't found anything.

The 1667 home I work in has one - it is hung on hooks and at night it can be placed on the floor. There are ropes and a feather mattress - I'm still looking for the origin

Nancy