A subtle distinction
Posted 24 Jan, 2005 at 17:15 by matt in /Words | Permanent link
There's a new coffee-house opening up near my apartment. This is exciting, because I don't hang out in coffee-houses nearly as much as I'd like to, and this place is even sort of within walking distance. (The "sort of" is because to get there one needs to cross a pair of major streets. There are sidewalks, but no other concessions to pedestrian existence.)
The sign that they've put on the building reads "Seekers Coffeeshop & Café". Now, are they making a distinction here that I've just never bothered with, or are they being pretentious?
Comments (5 comments so far)
Hmm... I'd understand this title in Amsterdam, where "coffeeshop" has a special meaning, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't apply in your town.
Posted 2005/1/24 18:48:57 by
Nikita
OK, now I'm curious. What's so special about "coffeeshops" in Amsterdam?
Posted 2005/1/24 19:57:47 by
Matt
Well, according to Neal Stephenson, that's where all the commodities traders would get together and talk shop.
Posted 2005/1/25 07:28:24 by
Elbie
cofˇfeeˇhouse also coffee house (kôf-hous, kf-) n. - A restaurant where coffee and other refreshments are served, especially one where people gather for conversation, games, or musical entertainment.
caˇfé also caˇfe (k-f, k-) n. - A coffeehouse, restaurant, or bar.
In everything I read, the only difference I could find was that more often, a Cafe serves booze as well, whereas coffeehouses (in good ol' North America) typically just serve the foul tasting black stuff. ;)
Posted 2005/1/25 08:37:12 by
Blue
What I've heard, which is heresy and completely unsubstantiated is that there exists at least one coffee house in Amsterdam that provides certain drugs. Which drugs and how many greater than one is left as an exercise.
Posted 2005/1/25 11:30:08 by
Brent