Hems

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solbjerg
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Joined: 01 Sep 2007 08:43
Location: Denmark

Hems

Post by solbjerg »

Hi
Has the word "hems" entered the English language?
It is probably of Norwegian descent cf. Hemsedal (Norwegian ski resort fx.)
Normally it is a partly open platform in a room, often used as extra space for bedding down rather agile guests that have to stay the night. :-)
English descriptions could be gallery (platform), loft (platform), entresol, retreat, Scandinavian retreat
Does anyone know a better word for it?
Cheers
solbjerg
Roland
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Re: Hems

Post by Roland »

Hi Solbjerg,
You could use the word "mezzanine" (or "mezzanine bedroom").
Check it out with Google to see if the pictures show what you're talking about.
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solbjerg
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Re: Hems

Post by solbjerg »

Hi Roland
Thanks for your suggestion - entresol is also called mezzanine, but it is not quite right
The Scandinavian Retreat is usually in a room with only the ground floor, with the inside /apex of the roof visible this "platform" also has an open apex of the roof, but is open to the rest of the room also, usually only to one side.
Have you ever seen it?
I can be built in a very high ceilinged room too though
Cheers
solbjerg

Roland wrote:Hi Solbjerg,
You could use the word "mezzanine" (or "mezzanine bedroom").
Check it out with Google to see if the pictures show what you're talking about.
Roland
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Joined: 27 Oct 2013 11:35

Re: Hems

Post by Roland »

I thought that maybe you were talking about this kind of layout to get more space in a small room:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/int ... is-up.html

http://farmhousedordogne.com/?page_id=176
(5th picture)
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solbjerg
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Location: Denmark

Re: Hems

Post by solbjerg »

Hi Roland
This Picture shows precisely what a hems is
My reluctance to call it a mezzanine stems from the fact that in Danish a mezzanine is known here as an extra floor situated between ground floor and first floor. But I do have it in my dictionary nevertheless - along with several other suggestions.
I just wondered if there was a special word for it.
Thank you kindly for your interest!
Cheers
solbjerg
Roland wrote:I thought that maybe you were talking about this kind of layout to get more space in a small room:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/int ... is-up.html

http://farmhousedordogne.com/?page_id=176
(5th picture)
ElieDeLeuze
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Location: Lörrach

Re: Hems

Post by ElieDeLeuze »

solbjerg wrote: My reluctance to call it a mezzanine stems from the fact that in Danish a mezzanine is known here as an extra floor situated between ground floor and first floor.
The French word for hems is mezzanine. Now, each language uses this terms of foreign origin in a very sloppy way and one ends up with quite different definitions. What the English speakers have done with it… I can only fear the worse considering what they did to the rest of the language. Lykke til med det.
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solbjerg
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Location: Denmark

Re: Hems

Post by solbjerg »

Hi ElieDeLeuze
Mange tak! (thanks a bunch)
Some years ago the national language board here changed the word "Bjørnetjeneste" (bear favour) which stems from a fable by La Fontaine, and means (La Fontaine's Fables), disservice, help turned into a disservice, ill turn - I think it was called "the Amateur Gardener" in the English translation originally.
But apparently they thought that too many people didn't know the story and therefore thought it meant "great favour", probably because they thought that all bears are very large.
By now they have changed their minds somewhat - but not completely.
I came across the Scandinavian Retreat during my search for a word for "Hems"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%AEte (just another slightly related site that caught my eye)
Thank you again.
Cheers solbjerg

ElieDeLeuze wrote:
solbjerg wrote: My reluctance to call it a mezzanine stems from the fact that in Danish a mezzanine is known here as an extra floor situated between ground floor and first floor.
The French word for hems is mezzanine. Now, each language uses this terms of foreign origin in a very sloppy way and one ends up with quite different definitions. What the English speakers have done with it… I can only fear the worse considering what they did to the rest of the language. Lykke til med det.
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