Drape (as applied to curtain) is North American, but the terms 'draper' and 'drapery' (dealing and manufacturing cloth) are very old, coming originally from Old French, I believe. I have heard of cloth hangings referred to as 'drapes' in the UK, but if they are on runners (i.e. movable) they are usually called curtains. Can't find any specific reference to 'drape dresser', though. Tony 9967 On 13/08/2008, Malcolm Austen <malcolm.austen@weald.org.uk> wrote: > On Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:37:41 +0100, Georgina Colwell > <georgina@musicair.co.uk> wrote: > > > What year would that be? What area does he live in - and what do the > > neighbours do for a living? There could be a few clues there. > > Agreed, more information needed. > > > At first glance it looks as though he finished off curtains! > > Be wary, that usage of 'drape' is very 'North American' and dates back > only to c.1895 (according to the OED). > > It seems more likely, to me, that 'drape' refers to some specific variety > of fabric and that 'dresser' refers to preparation for first (wholesale) > sale. Some fabrics were, for instance, brushed (== dressed) after weaving. > That said, I think there is also scope for it to be a (probably > lightweight, ladies) cloak. > > regards, Malcolm, who might well be barking up the wrong tree ... > > > Georgina > > 10821 > > > > Georgina Colwell > > www.musicair.co.uk > > www.musictheatrebritain.co.uk > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Melody Richardson" <melodyr@vianet.ca> > > To: <SFHG@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:09 AM > > Subject: [SFHG] job description > > > > > > Hi Everyone: > > I've come across a job description for one of my ancestors in the > > Census. He was a drape dresser. I'm going out on a limb to assume that's > > not a fashion statement. Any suggestions what the dear man did for a > > living??? > > > > Melody Richardson > > Ontario, Canada > > > -- > Malcolm Austen in Oxfordshire. > Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >