chifferobe

A closet-like piece of furniture that combines a long space for hanging clothes (that is, a wardrobe or armoire) with a chest of drawers. Chifferobes were first advertised in the 1908 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue, which described them as "a modern invention, having been in use only a short time." The term itself is a portmanteau of the words chiffonier and wardrobe. It is used in the United States, primarily in the southern portion of the country, and in Cuba. Pronounced shif-uh-rohb or shif-rohb. In Spanish as "chief-o-robay."

The word "chifferobe" appears frequently in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson "busts up a chifferobe" for Mayella Ewell, which her father uses as kindling.

by Southern mama September 24, 2011

bust up that chifferobe

To smack up some booty. In the novel To Kill A Mocking Bird, Tom Robinson is asked to "come in an bust up the chifferobe" for Mayella Ewell. But upon entry into the house, Mayella makes swift sexual advances toward Robinson, hence, bust up that chifferobe means to smack up a fine piece of ass.

"Hey Jim, I saw you leave with that girl. You bust up that chifferobe?"

by BoboFish January 31, 2016

chiffarobe

from "chiffonier" (dressmaker) and "wardrobe"; a free-standing tall piece of furniture used to hold clothing; includes a rod for hanging clothes and may include several drawers as well; usually two sides.

Her bustle was neatly folded and stored in the chiffarobe.

by d November 11, 2003

chifforobe

1) A closet-like piece of furniture, much like a wardrobe or armoire, but with one side being a long space for hanging clothes and other side with drawers. The word is derived from the French "chiffonier" and wardrobe.

2) An item of furniture one may be invited to "bust up" as a euphemism for sex, especially between a Caucasian woman and an African-American man.

Mayella Ewell in the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962): "I was sittin' on the porch, and he come along. Uh, there's this old chifforobe in the yard, and I-I said, 'You come in here, boy, and bust up this chifforobe, and I'll give you a nickel.'"

I'd love to see Denzel bust up Angelina's chifforobe.

by WhatDivaWants May 15, 2007

chiffarobe

Similiar to an armoir but smaller. A chiffarobe is a free standing wardrobe which usually has a full length mirrored door. Behind the door there's a rod to hang one's clothes, and several drawers on the opposite side of the mirrored door. Chiffarobes were used in the days before homes had closets.

My best dress is hanging in Grandmother's chiffarobe.

by Mrs. O. Higdon-Crenshaw July 14, 2003

chiffarobe

An old dresser thing that you bust up and use for kindling.

"Come on over here boy, and bust up this here chiffarobe"

by braamer March 10, 2003

chiffarobe

A: A free-standing wardrobe
B: A white woman's vagina when coming onto a black man

Ex A: Chiffarobes are outdated and impractical
Ex B:
Tyrone: Kathy asked me to bust up her chiffarobe last night.

by THC1138 April 28, 2008