Pied-à-terre: Difference between revisions
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A '''''pied a terre''''' is a small [[second home]] in the [[city]] (typically an [[apartment]] or a [[condominium]]). It has connotations of a jetset lifestyle. ''Pied a terres'' are usually decorated very well to make up for the space constraints. This gives rise to that oft-used phrase (almost a cliché) of the "chic [[Manhattan]] ''pied-a-terre''." |
A '''''pied a terre''''' is a small [[second home]] in the [[city]] (typically an [[apartment]] or a [[condominium]]). It has connotations of a [[jetset]] lifestyle. ''Pied a terres'' are usually decorated very well to make up for the space constraints. This gives rise to that oft-used phrase (almost a cliché) of the "chic [[Manhattan]] ''pied-a-terre''." |
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The phrase literally translates to "foot on the ground". |
The phrase literally translates to "foot on the ground". |
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Revision as of 12:20, 2 February 2006
A pied a terre is a small second home in the city (typically an apartment or a condominium). It has connotations of a jetset lifestyle. Pied a terres are usually decorated very well to make up for the space constraints. This gives rise to that oft-used phrase (almost a cliché) of the "chic Manhattan pied-a-terre."
The phrase literally translates to "foot on the ground". This is said to be because pied a terres were traditionally ground-floor apartments. However, more likely, the meaning of the phrase is "to have a foothold", cf. "one foot in the grave"; "terre" (ground) referring to (a different) territory, rather than elevation.
A pied a terre doesn't have to be owned by its user; one could be said to have a pied a terre in France with a family member or a mistress, if the pied a terre can be used at a whim, in the way of a second home.