Language/vocabulary poll

[chicken]

As I don't have a paid account I can't make an actual "poll" so I'll just ask you to comment.

That drawer with random stuff in it, the one that's probably in the kitchen. What do you call that drawer?

A.) the "miscellaneous" drawer
B.) the "junk" drawer
C.) the "whatnot" drawer
D.) something else (explain)

Personally I call it the "whatnot" drawer as that is what I heard growing up.

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

I call it the junk drawer -- same reason, that's what it was called when I was growing up :)

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

B.

[antennapedia.livejournal.com]

The junk drawer, and if I want my husband to understand which drawer I mean, the tool drawer.

[spinthemoon.livejournal.com]

It's a junk drawer. (Notice not THE junk drawer, since we have several)

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

May I ask where you grew up and how old your parents are?

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

Even though there are non-tool items in the drawer? ;-)

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Most Texas, with forays into Alabama and Arkansas. My parents were born in 1931 and 1932,

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

This seems to be the unanimous choice so far.

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

As long as "several" does not mean "all" -- some people do tend to have every single drawer be unorganized, in which case they are ALL junky. ;-)

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

That nixes my "older parents say 'whatnot'" theory -- as my parents were born in 1928 and 1932. Hmmmmm.

[masqthephlsphr.livejournal.com]

And my parents were both born in the early 1930's, one in California, the other in Canada.

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

The only time I can remember saying whatnot is for a little shelf that holds tschotschkes - that's a what not shelf :)

(And no, my parents NEVER say tschotschkes :) )

[anelith.livejournal.com]

Ha! Did I start something? :-)

[karenbear.livejournal.com]

From the choices you gave I guess I would call it the junk drawer, but I'm probably more likely to call it "that drawer with all the random crap in it". Not quite as pithy though. ;)

[itsabigrock.livejournal.com]

Junk Drawer, which my kitchen sadly doesn't have room for. Woe.

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

So at least you know what a "whatnot" is. ;-) Many people do not.

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

You sort of resurrected it in my mind, I've been thinking about it for the last few days, coincidentally.

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

I do like the moniker "random crap".

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

Most kitchens don't have nearly enough drawers.

[the-automatik.livejournal.com]

AHA! We don't have one. Seriously. I refuse to have one of those in the house because it's too easy for shit to get misplaced.

[lycomingst.livejournal.com]

Junk drawer. I have one. Ha, ha, calling it a "whatnot" drawer would probably come across as a little "la-de-dah" where I grew up.

[saifai.livejournal.com]

I grew up calling it the junk drawer. I picked it up from my Mom, I believe.

Dad never called it anything specific except for, "Damnit, where'd you put the [random junk]?" If he was in a particularly foul mood (and mom wasn't around), it was "the drawer your mom shoves all the damn shit." :) Happy times...

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

Good for you. Most of us just aren't that organized. :-)

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

What does that mean, "la-de-dah" -- uppity? hoity-toity? Hyacinth Bucket??!?

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear.

[lycomingst.livejournal.com]

Yes, hoity-toity. Pinkie finger extended as you drink your tea. 8 ]