Origin Of Term "Sad Iron"

[launderess]

Someone asked, cannot remember whom or where, about "sad" irons.

Apparently the term came about as those old heavy, heated on stove irons were called "sad" irons because sad was another work for heavy in those days. Women whom used these irons always looked terrible after several hours of ironing,so people began to say they were "sad", and the is history.

Vintage sad irons weighed in from between 5 and 8 pounds, some a bit more; so one can see how a woman would not look her best after several hours standing doing the ironing with one of those irons. Today they make excellent door stops.

Launderess

 

[appliguy]

Sorry to disappoint you Launderess.......

But that it is NOT what the term "sad" iron means at all. It refered to the size of the iron not the weight in the old days "sad meant compact not heavy.....PATRICK COFFEY

 

[toggleswitch]

ah so that is what is meant by "oh that is so sad looking.."
I actually thought it meant something was in bad condition.

in Greek actually, "I feel heavy" means "I am not in the mood for.....", Or "I feel lazy/unmotivated"

 

[toggleswitch]

Actually, even if not technically correct in someone else's opinion all ideas and inputs are greatly appreciated.

 

[jasonl]

The original Strong Women

These women had iron pots, heavy irons, heavy tubs to wash clothes.

They were strong, they were invincible, they were housewives. Yeah baby!

 

[toggleswitch]

Jason,

Mehtinks you need to get L....... lunch.

 

[jasonl]

Toggle

Methinks you're right. I'm starving.

 

[gizmo]

My Pocket Oxford, admittedly not one of the world's great dictionaries, agrees with Launderess...Sad Iron = heavy laundry iron, Sad = heavy or enough.

My Macquarie Australian Dictionary which weighs about half a ton, has nothing to say on the matter.

Chris

 

[gizmo]

online etymology dictionary...

Oh, by the way it was me who asked about the term initially.

Chris

Search 'sad ' on etymonline

Search results for 'sad ' on etymonline

www.etymonline.com

 

[toggleswitch]

Gizmo:

You have to LOVE a dictionary that references the phrase
"Sad sack of SH--!" Now I can add it to my officially acceptable lexicon!

 

[appliguy]

I must have gotten erronious information......

I apologize for giving erronious info. I read that in an article a couple years ago and it looks like that was incorrect info. I was not trying to be a know it all though I sometimes come across that way unintentionally.
PAT COFFEY