Thursday, May 17, 2007

Hollywood bed

Q. I saw an excellent local production of Chorus Line by the Academy Players in Rhode Island this past weekend. (By the way, the costumes were fabulous!) One of the characters mentioned that she "was born on a Hollywood bed." I was wondering what exactly is a Hollywood bed?

A. A Hollywood bed is "a bed consisting of a metal frame, box spring, mattress, and headboard, but lacking a footboard" according to the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it a little differently, "A mattress on a box spring supported by a metal frame or attached low legs, often with an upholstered headboard."

Source: Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and The American Heritage Dictionary