This word comes directly from the French, literally meaning “head-to-head.” The loanword often refers to a private conversation, and it can be used as a noun, adverb, or adjective, depending on the construction of the sentence. But another noun usage is that of the tête-à-tête couch. This S-shaped sofa was also called a courting bench and a gossip’s chair, and it was popular in Victorian-era upper-class homes. Victorians were extremely conservative in their courting rituals, and the sofa’s unique design allowed flirting couples to sit close without ever touching.