Why Do We Call A Decorative Pillow A "throw" Pillow?

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Why do we call a decorative pillow a "throw" pillow?

• Thread starter Thread starter humanix
• Start date Start date Dec 15, 2015

humanix

New Member

Korean A throw pillow, or toss pillow, is a small, decorative type of pillow. My question is... why? I don't think it is actually related to "throwing" nor "tossing". Is there any reason for this? (It may sound stupid... but I cannot help asking this!)

e2efour

Senior Member

England (aged 79) UK English A "throw" is a piece of material used to cover a sofa (e.g. to keep it clean). It is large in area so it is "thrown" over the sofa. So if you put (or "throw") a pillow at random on a bed, this gives rise to its name. Throwing and tossing are casual movements. (I have never come across a throw pillow before, but my explanation seems plausible. ) Last edited: Dec 15, 2015 P

Parla

Member Emeritus

New York City English - US As it happens, I bought two of them a few weeks ago, to echo the colors in a newly reupholstered couch. We call them throw pillows because they're not part of the basic design of the piece of furniture, but are "tossed" onto it. Here are some pictures of throw pillows (there are also links on that page to more pictures). C

Cagey

post mod (English Only / Latin)

California English - US I agree with the above explanations. I can't find a dictionary that give a definition for 'throw' as an adjective, but we use also use it to describe small rugs that may be distributed casually in the room. That is, 'throw' suggests that they are placed without thought, though in reality they probably are not. Throw rug - definition of throw rug by The Free Dictionary​

Loob

Senior Member

English UK Like e2efour, I hadn't heard of "throw pillow"/"toss pillow" before, though it immediately made sense. (Google tells me that the source of Humanix's definition is a Wiki article which also includes this sentence: Outside the United States, throw pillows are more commonly referred to as cushions.)

bennymix

Senior Member

Now, Ontario, Canada. California; Princeton, NJ. English (American). Merriam Webster online has the following, under [throw]* noun, related: 6a : a light coverlet (as for a bed) *ADDED for clarity. Last edited: Dec 16, 2015

Loob

Senior Member

English UK

bennymix said: ... 6a : a light coverlet (as for a bed) Click to expand...

Wouldn't that be a throw rather than a throw pillow, benny (as in e2's post 2)?

bennymix

Senior Member

Now, Ontario, Canada. California; Princeton, NJ. English (American). Yes. I've amended the posting to clarify. I think the idea is related, however. You 'throw' a coverlet over a bed, as you 'throw' (place) a rug. A 'throw pillow' may be placed wherever you wish.

Loob said: Wouldn't that be a throw rather than a throw pillow, benny (as in e2's post 2)? Click to expand...

Loob

Senior Member

English UK I agree, benny: that's what e2 and Parla and Cagey all said, and that's also why e2 and I both understood "throw pillow" despite not having come across it before. You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Bluesky LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

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