WCS is often a source of new words for me. When I saw the photo illustrating the word trivet, I just wondered, thinking that I was just seeing a bunch of corks.
Googling it provided the following definition
1. a three-legged metal stand for supporting a cooking vessel in a hearth
2. a stand with short feet used under a hot dish on a table
One of my Bénerville trivets at Christmas time
And the funny part is the other day, in an email, I tried to explain to someone about a dessous de plat, the French word, and described it as a sort of tray you put under things.
How nice to know the real word for a thing !
There will be more about my Norfolk and Norwich trip but you see, I am processing hundreds of photos, and also trying to catch up with my blog reading. Lots of work. 
I look forward to the photos, Claude, as always.
Comment by kenju — April 17, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
[...] mvizdos+podcast@gmail.com (Michael J. Vizdos) wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptWCS is often a source of new words for me. When I saw the photo illustrating the word trivet, I just wondered, thinking that I was just seeing a bunch of corks. One of my Bénerville trivets at Christmas time And the funny part is the … [...]
Pingback by clothes » New words: a trivet — April 17, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
I could be wrong, but I think the word trivet may be a British word originally. Growing up in New England, it was always a very common word to me and trivets were always used on the table beneath hot dishes.
Really enjoyed your trip and photos.
Comment by Terri — April 17, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
I’d agree with Terri about the origin of the word and I’m not sure that it’s quite the same as a dessous de plat. I would have thought to be a trivet it has to have feet, or some means of elevating the hot dish above the level of the table or hearth, and I’m not sure that a dessous de plat does (but I’m quite prepared to be corrected!)
Comment by A. — April 17, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
@ A.
My Robert & Collins dictionary says a trivet is a dessous de plat. The function of a dessous de plat is to protect the table from a hot dish.
Comment by Claude — April 18, 2007 @ 12:32 am
Claude, since I learn stuff for your blogs all the time, I’m glad I could return the favor ! Thanks !
Comment by wcs — April 18, 2007 @ 6:35 am
Um, er, that should be FROM your blogs…
Comment by wcs — April 18, 2007 @ 6:35 am
Hi Claude, I’m a keen camper, (www.dancecampeast.org) and we use trivets all the time, for cooking over the fire. Here’s a picture of one made of horseshoes:
http://flickr.com/photos/seyfang/18944872/
and here’s a collection a trivets and a bigger collection of kettles!:
http://flickr.com/photos/seyfang/18944872/in/set-445836/
I had not heard of the other type of trivet before!
Comment by Cer!se — April 18, 2007 @ 11:44 am