Is a junk drawer a southern thing?

No, the "junk drawer" isn't exclusively Southern; it's a nearly universal household phenomenon found across the U.S. and globally, though Southern culture has embraced and popularized it with specific items like extra hot sauce packets and unique tools. While some Southern outlets playfully claim it as their own, most people, from Michigan to Oregon, have a drawer for miscellaneous odds and ends.

Are junk drawers an American thing?

Junk drawers are often located in residential kitchens, but they may exist anywhere with cabinetry or furniture used for storage, including home offices or workshops, and even commercial workplaces and businesses. The phrase "junk drawer" appears to be an Americanism dating to the early 1900s.

What is the origin of the junk drawer?

Where did they come from? How did the junk drawer come to be a thing? The definition from Word Sense lists the first published reference to “junk drawers” back in 1912, from a dentist in New York. He referenced his “junk drawer” in the context of keeping all of his gadgets handy to where he was working.

What does "junk drawer" mean?

A "junk drawer" is a common household drawer, often in the kitchen, used to store miscellaneous small items, odds and ends, and things that don't have a specific designated place, like batteries, keys, pens, twist ties, and tools, creating a collection of useful but disorganized clutter. It's a catch-all for small, useful items that accumulate over time, serving as a convenient spot for things you might need but don't want cluttering other areas.
 

Why do people have junk drawers?

Now the main reason junk drawers exist is to catch the things that don't really have a home. It's not like your other drawers, where you always tuck away the same 8 forks, 8 knives and 8 spoons. The junk drawer needs to be flexible enough for batteries, pens, posts it and the occasional set of keys.

If your junk drawer could talk

What percentage of people have a junk drawer?

Diving into the nooks and crannies of America's homes has unearthed some fascinating tidbits about the humble junk drawer. An astounding 95% of Americans admit to having at least one junk drawer in their home, with half of the population (50%) maintaining just a single repository of randomness.

What does kitchen mean in black slang?

Among many African-Americans the term kitchen refers to the hair at the nape of the neck. It may derive from Scots kinch, a “twist of rope” or “kink.” This is part of a complete episode.

What is another name for a junk drawer?

Another name for a junk drawer is a catch-all drawer, miscellaneous drawer, or knick-knack drawer, but people also call it a grab-and-go drawer, "the drawer that doesn't exist," or even a "doom drawer," depending on how organized (or not) it is, holding odds and ends like old keys, batteries, and random tools.
 

Is there a psychological reason for junk drawers?

Our tendency to accumulate both physical and financial clutter stems from similar psychological roots: Decision fatigue makes small choices feel overwhelming, so we delay them.

What is known as the junk drawer?

The kingdom Protista has traditionally been referred to as the "junk drawer" kingdom because it was used to group together all eukaryotic organisms that did not fit into the other kingdoms (Plantae, Animalia, Fungi).

Does everyone have a junk drawer?

Almost everyone has the dreaded junk drawer in their home. It can be full to bursting with all different kinds of bits and bobs that don't have another home in your house or have been put in the junk drawer for 'safekeeping'.

What do British people call a chest of drawers?

You might hear a chest of drawers referred to by several rather fancy names: a tallboy (particularly popular in British homes), a highboy (its American cousin), or even a chiffonier (if you're feeling particularly continental).

How to tell if a chest is an antique?

Some of these methods include: (1) Joinery: If a joint has only a few uneven dove-tails, it was likely dove-tailed by hand and is an antique. (2) Symmetry: Exact symmetry likely means that the piece is machine-made and hence, not antique. (3) Finish: If the piece is very old, it may be oil, wax or milk paint.

What is the history of the junk drawer?

But did you know the junk drawer has been around since the 1800s? Back then, it was known as a “catch-all drawer”—a place where letters, spare buttons, receipts, and little tools lived when they didn't have a home. Over time, it became the ultimate keeper of random-but-important stuff… and hasn't looked back since.

Is it bad to have a junk drawer?

It's not bad to have a junk drawer or a few, better than having a home that qualifies as one! It's time to tackle the junk drawer (s). Discard expired, broken, twisted paperclips, broken rubber bands, etc. Now organize the rest into like items so easy to find.

What do Americans call a Welsh dresser?

A Welsh dresser (British English) or a china hutch (American English), sometimes known as a kitchen dresser or pewter cupboard, is a piece of wooden furniture consisting of drawers and cupboards in the lower part, with shelves and perhaps a sideboard on top.

What does God say about clutter?

Jesus said that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15. Spiritual life can be choked out by clutter, which is part of “the cares and riches of this life.” Luke 8:14. God is pleased when we give things away cheerfully.

What is the 10 10 10 rule for decluttering?

The 10-10 Decluttering Method, Decoded

Over the course of 10 days, you'll declutter 10 items a day from 10 different areas or rooms of your home. Not hardcore enough? Try limiting each day's decluttering session to only 10 minutes. Within a week and change, you'll have decluttered 100 items from your home.

What kind of trauma causes clutter?

Loss: When Clutter Holds Memories

Loss is a universal human experience, but for those with complex trauma, it can feel catastrophic. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a home, or a sense of safety, these experiences can lead to hoarding as a coping mechanism.

What is the meaning of junk drawer?

A "junk drawer" is a common household drawer, often in the kitchen, used to store miscellaneous small items, odds and ends, and things that don't have a specific designated place, like batteries, keys, pens, twist ties, and tools, creating a collection of useful but disorganized clutter. It's a catch-all for small, useful items that accumulate over time, serving as a convenient spot for things you might need but don't want cluttering other areas.
 

What to keep in a junk drawer?

A junk drawer typically holds a mix of useful small items for quick fixes, office supplies, and random odds and ends, including pens, batteries, tape, scissors, small tools (screwdriver, hammer), rubber bands, paper clips, keys, old chargers, receipts, and sometimes first-aid supplies or sentimental trinkets, creating a "catch-all" for household necessities.
 

What does drawer mean in slang?

"Drawers" is slang, primarily in British, Irish, and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), for underwear, especially underpants, often pronounced "draws". It's an older term, derived from loose-fitting undergarments that were "drawn" up, and it remains common in informal or regional speech for anything covering the lower body like briefs or boxers, or even historically, stockings.
 

What is the kitchen 3 rule?

Kitchen work triangle guidelines

The three points of the triangle are your sink, stove and refrigerator. The distance between each point of the triangle should be no greater than nine feet apart, but no less than four feet. Cabinets should not intersect any of the pathways created by the triangle by more than one foot.

What is a grey kitchen?

Grey Kitchen Inspiration

Grey is one of the best neutrals to use in your kitchen, thanks to its elegant feel and broad range of shades. Light grey kitchen walls make a space feel bright and airy, while a dark grey kitchen creates a dramatic look.

Why do I have hair on the side of my neck?

During puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, you might notice more hair on your neck due to hormone fluctuations. PCOS: If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you might experience extra hair growth, including on your neck, because of higher levels of certain hormones.