The story
Named in England, probably in the 19th century, for its ability to accommodate the exceptionally wide-hooped skirts fashionable of the time. See farthingale.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
farthingale chair
Today it means: An armless chair with a wide seat covered in usually high-quality fabric and fitted with a cushion. The backrest is an upholstered panel, with legs that are straight and rectangular. Full definition →