Chiffarobe
A chiffarobe , also known as “chifforobe” , “chifferobe” or “chiffrobe” and other spellings, is a piece of furniture, a free-standing wardrobe, usually in two parts: with a continuous hanging part on one side and a part with stacked drawers on the other . In the German-speaking world, similar pieces of furniture are also referred to as “cloakroom” or “hall closets”, although these often lack drawers.
origin
The English word “chiffarobe” is a combination of “chiffonier” (cupboard with drawers and compartments, often also a fold-out desk; “secretary”) and “wardrobe” (wardrobe for hanging over clothing).
use
Harper Lee used the term chifforobe in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird ( To Kill a Mockingbird ) from 1960 eleven times. In chapter 18, for example, Mayella Ewell testifies in court that she asked the “negro” Tom Robinson (whom she accused of raping her) to come into the house and chop up an old cipher.