chaise lounge

China exported about $5 billion worth of living room furniture (including chaise lounge）in 2004. This figure accounted for approximately 30 percent of all furniture exports from the country. In terms of volume, overseas shipments comprised an estimated 15 million coffee and end tables, 7 million sofas and 5 million entertainment units. Although export sales are growing by about 20 percent annually, the industry could be headed for rough times as it deals with numerous challenges including rising material costs, power shortages, and increasing competition. A chaise longue (French "long chair") is an upholstered couch in the shape of a chair that is long enough to support the legs. It is often also called "chaise lounge" in North America, particularly in the furniture industry. This spelling and pronunciation has become well-established and can be found in American English dictionaries, and is an example of a folk etymology.