Two-Pair of Stairs Abode

I first came across the expression 'two-pair of stairs' while researching the type of apartments a young man could rent during the 1700s. It appeared in a court document over a dispute about such a room where the lady had fallen behind on her rent.

Naturally, I googled what two-pair of stairs meant. (Does anyone remember what we did before Google?)

Old staircases often had a landing, so it took two staircases to get from one floor to the next floor (see the picture). Thus, a "pair of stairs."

The number of pairs directly correlates to the floor number. Thus, three-pair would be the third floor, a fifth pair would be the fifth floor, and so on and so forth.

Two-pair of stairs means the rooms are located on the second floor.

It can also be shortened to just the number and the word 'pair,' such as in the poem title "From A Fourth-Pair Window." (see links below if you want to read the poem)

I thought this was a fun expression, and since I was researching for my hero in Hearts Unknown, I chose a 'two-pair of stairs' place for Clarence to let.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little look into the past! Have you ever heard of a 'pair of stairs' before?

---

Further Reading

He always has been, and always would be hers - Clarence Beauchamp, Hearts Unknown

If you'd like to read Clarence Beauchamp's character intro which doubles as an alternative beginning to the book and uses the expression 'two-pair of stairs,' you can read it here.

If you'd like to check out the 1875 poem where Part 1 is titled "From a Fourth-Pair Window," you can read the poem here.

And if you'd like to read about those court disputes I mentioned, you can do that here.

Or even check out a condensed version of rent costs here.

Hope you have a blessed day, and if you've heard of any interesting ways to describe dwellings, I'd love to hear them!