occasional chair

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gemajiangjun

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Beijing
中文
Hi everyone. I am wondering what "occasional" means as in "occasional chair". I found one of the definitions of "occasional" in Merriam and Webster Dictionary, which is "designed or constructed to be used as the occasion demands" as in <occasional furniture>. I suspect it's also the definition for "occasional chair". But I don't really understand the explanation of the definition. Does"occasional chair" mean the chair is not used very often, or mean that they are more exquisite chairs that are only used in important occasions like when guests come to visit?
I found "occasional chair" in the following context：

Every so often I make an attempt to simplify my life, burning my books behind me, selling the occasional chair, discarding the accumulated miscellany.(from An E. B. White Reader, pp. 198-200, New York Harper & Row, 1966)
 
    • In this example 'occasional' is not a quality of the chair. Mr White means that every once in a while he sells a chair. It is this meaning of occasional:

    • 1 occurring infrequently or irregularly.

    Although it is an adjective describing the chair, it really tells us that the selling occurs "infrequently or irregularly".
     
    I'm afraid you've missed the meaning here. Although we have "occasional chairs," here White is saying that "occasionally he would sell one of his chairs" -- that's what makes them occasional. :)

    Added: Cross-posted with Cagey and it seems we are in agreement, so I think I can just curl up on this occasional chair and complete my nap. :)

    Added Again: But before I do, let's follow up on the other, more usual, meaning. From WiseGeek.com: Occasional chair: An occasional chair is as functional in purpose as it is in name: it’s a chair that’s meant to be used on occasion. Typically a wood-framed chair with the frame exposed, these chairs are simple and complementary to a wide variety of design styles. Meant as accessories to your furniture sets, occasional chairs are a great way to solve seating issues when you have visitors or guests.

    There is more on that link and I found it interesting reading ... well, before I dozed off again. ;)

    Oh, and here are more examples than you would like in your living room at one time: Google Images.
     
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    Thank you Copyright, I can see that we've cross-posted. But before you enjoy your nap, would you tell me what makes you and Cagey so sure that Mr. White should mean he sell the chair occasionally? Just for me learn :)
     
    No, I don't think that he is talking about a particular style of chair. I think he is talking about getting rid of his extra possessions, and he is telling us that the best he can do is burn his books and sell a chair or two. He ends up keeping a lot of things.

    Edit: Here is another thread on this construction: the occasional article
     
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    gemajiangjun said:
    Thank you Copyright, I can see that we've cross-posted. But before you enjoy your nap, would you tell me what makes you and Cagey so sure that Mr. White should mean he sell the chair occasionally? Just for me learn :)
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    Because we're native English speakers (and listeners and readers). :D

    But I think Cagey has given you a more solid lead. ;)

    And it would be "selling a chair occasionally" (a different chair every time) -- if you were "selling the chair occasionally," you would be selling the same chair again and again.
     
    Another clue:
    • the use of the definite article - selling the occasional chair. No chair was presumably mentioned prior to this, so a writer wouldn't use a definite article for something not mentioned earlier or derived from the context.
     
    gemajiangjun said:
    Thank you, Copyright. Now I am totally convinced. Although the first reason that you gave did leave speechless.
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    You mean the "native English speaker" comment? It shouldn't leave you speechless. The same is true of native speakers of any language -- they understand things and meanings and nuances that are difficult for them to explain to learners of their language. To some extent, that's true here -- as natkretep mentions, just the article "the" is a big clue here that is easily missed by an English learner.
     
    I'm think as a non-native speaker who is not in the native language environment I can only try my best to understand and to absorb. Thank you Copyright for always being so helpful.
     
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