soft-seater n. an upscale theater-like performing space with a capacity larger than a nightclub and smaller than an arena; (hence) especially attributively, entertainment or a performing space seen as appropriate for a restrained or sophisticated audience. Also soft-seat place, soft-seat venue. Editorial Note: This terms appears to be especially common in Canada. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
You must log in to post a comment.
Life of Riley (episode #1533) 10/07/2019: Unwrap the name of a candy bar, and you just might find a story inside. For instance, one chewy treat found in many a checkout... [more]
Off the Turnip Truck (episode #1532) 09/23/2019: It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time when people disagreed over the best word to use when answering the phone. Alexander Graham... [more]
Loaded for Bear (episode #1531) 09/16/2019: One way to make your new business look trendy is to use two nouns separated by an ampersand, like Peach & Creature or Rainstorm &... [more]
Mrs. Astor’s Horse (episode #1530) 07/29/2019: "What has a head like a cat, feet like a cat, a tail like a cat, but isn't a cat?" Answer: a kitten! A 1948... [more]
At First Blush (episode #1529) 07/15/2019: Book recommendations and the art of apology. Martha and Grant share some good reads, including an opinionated romp through English grammar, a Spanish-language adventure novel,... [more]
This seems to have been going around as “soft-seat” in Toronto for at least a couple of years before it’s attested as “soft-seater.” It’s weird that these all come from Toronto:
1987 Craig McInnis _Toronto Star_ (Oct. 16) “Fleetwood’s Mac is back from booze bout”: “I’m not so crazy about the ‘soft-seat’ places. But you can get people out of their soft seats.”
1987 Greg Quill _Toronto Star_ (July 15) “Brewery chases high-profile acts for Massey Hall”: to help produce high-profile rock shows in Toronto’s premier “soft-seat” venue…. aggressive competition for “soft-seat” acts
Ah! Thanks. Those are both good. My theory on why this term is popular in Canada is that they only ever had hard seats for the longest time because everyone was too polite to ask for something easier on the bum. So when soft-seat joints came along, they were worth remarking on. (kidding)