Where Does the Word Couch Come from?

The couch is defined slightly differently. This originally meant a structure with a soft covering designed for lying on to sleep. So this was originally more of a bed than a chair, and the word 'couch' is derived from the French verb 'coucher' which means to lay down, or to put to bed.

Why is it called a couch?

The word couch comes from the French Coucher which means to sleep. It was originally used to describe any piece of furniture that was designed for lying on and could be applied to a bed as well as an elongated chair.

What is the difference between a sofa and a couch?

Sofas are more formal and have prominent backs and armrests. Sofas are for sitting. On the other hand, couches are less formal and are more often used for lying on.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.