Mews

[coccinelle]

I'm reading a book which mentions mews in London. I'm not familiar with this term but have looked it up to find it means stables. Can anybody tell me how stables became a posh area of London? very curious....

[VHG]

Here is another, the look very nice

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01477/p-london-mews2_1477305i.jpg

[coccinelle]

VHG they don't really look like stables , do they? So why 'mews'!!!

[Mamyalynne]

If you look at the last image posted and take out the fancy glass on the ground floor - replace with wooden doors.

That is where the horses were walked in to be stabled, groomed, fed etc

Above would be a hayloft/tack room and often accommodation for the groom or whoever.

The loft conversions are clearly a later addition.

[naomi24]

//So why 'mews'!!! //

Because it's 'trendy'. A sign of the times.

[craft1948]

I once stayed in a mews cottage behind Harrods............very trendy.

[boxtops]

cocinelle, look at my link at 17.47 - it explains why they are called Mews.

[Infomaniac]

I remember watching The Saint when Roger Moore played the role and he lived in a mews - I thought it was the height of sophistication.

[mier]

//So why 'mews'!!! //

Because it's 'trendy'. A sign of the times.

Really? A word originating from the 18th Century?

[VHG]

>>>A word originating from the 18th Century?

Words can go in and out of fashion, and even change meaning over time.

Many songs from the 20s and 3s0s have the word "gay" in the them, and to call someone gay a few years ago meant they were happy.

[naomi24]

Mier, //Because it's 'trendy'. A sign of the times.

Really? A word originating from the 18th Century?//

Yes, indeed, an old word but one that carries with it the impression of a certain wealth and standing. A bit like saying you bought a Chanel handbag rather than just a handbag.