What does pegtop mean?
A pegtop is a writing desk whose upper surface slopes toward the user, often with shallow drawers incorporated around or beneath it. This form reduces the amount of desk space needed for writing and was especially popular in Victorian and Edwardian homes, schools, and offices, where compact furniture was valued. Although “secretary” is sometimes used for a similar item, that word traditionally denotes a more elaborate desk with compartments and a hinged writing surface. In specialist bowling language, a pegtop is a pin with a narrow middle and a rounded, widened top. The ordinary sense of the word is therefore associated with practical furniture design, while the rarer sporting sense refers to the characteristic profile of a particular form of bowling pin. The word is most often encountered in descriptions of antique furniture, writing desks, and formal or period interiors.
A writing desk with a sloping working surface, normally fitted with drawers or compartments for stationery.
"He opened the drawer of his pegtop and searched for a sheet of paper."
Common for compact or antique writing desks; “secretary” refers to a related but usually more elaborate form of furniture.
A bowling pin with a narrow middle and a rounded, widened top.
"The old-style pegtop toppled slowly after striking the final pin."
This is a specialized sporting sense, largely encountered in historical or technical bowling contexts.
Of or relating to a pegtop desk, or having the narrow-waisted, widened-top shape of a pegtop bowling pin.
"She sat at a pegtop desk in the corner of the library."
Usually attributive and less common than the noun.
Used when referring to more than one pegtop desk or to multiple bowling pins of this type.
"Two pegtops stood on either side of the writing area."
A pegtop turns the familiar office desk into a compact workstation, with its sloping surface designed to keep writing materials within easy reach.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pegtop come from?
The word is an English compound formed from “peg” and “top.” The combination originally referred to the furniture form in which the desk’s top has a raised or peg-like arrangement, and it later came to denote the sloping writing surface characteristic of such desks. The separate bowling sense likewise draws on the pin’s peg-like shape.
How pegtop is actually used
The closed form “pegtop” is standard, although “peg-top” is also encountered. The desk sense is the dominant modern use; the bowling sense is specialized and more likely to appear in sporting or historical contexts.