stationer

Definitions

From station (a fixed standing place, from st 'stand'). In the Middle Ages most traders were itinerant, but a stationer kept a fixed stall — a 'station' — often near a university, selling books and writing materials. The word for the goods, stationery, comes from this fixed shopkeeper.

Why It Means This

A nice etymological surprise: stationer literally means 'someone with a fixed station,' as opposed to a roaming peddler. Because these fixed sellers dealt in paper and pens, station- ended up attached to office supplies (stationery), even though the root is really about 'standing still.'

Common Collocations

• 1.local stationer当地文具店
• 2.stationer's shop文具商店
• 3.specialist stationer专业文具商

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She bought ink and envelopes from the local stationer.

• 2.

  The old stationer's on the corner has closed down.