Definition: An area of chairs (Merriam-Webster online).
Sample usage: "We took out the sofa because the room seemed more like a chairea than a sofarea. We also call the kitchen the dairyarea now because we just love milk!"
Popularity: Office designers love small groups of chairs, scattered around in case people decide to spontaneously collaborate and need to sit immediately. Now you can say, "I'd love to talk, but we're not close to a chairea" and walk away. Briskly.
JAMES LILEKS
Interested in other words or phrases we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Variety
World
Haitian students play drums and strum guitars to escape hunger and gang violence
Woodberson Seïde held his stepsister's hand as they walked through Haiti 's capital on their way to an afterschool music program.
Business

As actors restart talks and writers return to work, here are key players in the Hollywood strikes
Hollywood actors have restarted talks with studios, opening up the possibility that their part in the industry's double strike could end with the same kind of deal the writers reached to end their pickets last week.
Nation
Suspect charged in fatal shooting of Tupac Shakur to make court appearance in Las Vegas
A self-described gangster who police and prosecutors say masterminded the shooting death of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas in 1996 is due to make his first appearance Wednesday before a Nevada judge.
Nation
Business
Lahaina residents deliver petition asking Hawaii governor to delay tourism reopening
Residents from fire-stricken Lahaina on Tuesday delivered a petition asking Hawaii Gov. Josh Green to delay plans to reopen a portion of West Maui to tourism starting this weekend, saying the grieving community is not ready to welcome back visitors.