Well, I found out what happened to parlors. You know, those fancy rooms in late 18th century houses:
Mostly, they were used for guests and special occasions. When people died they would be laid out in the parlor. And of corse, if you were a medium, the parlor was where you held your Seances to contact the dead. Apparently, in an active effort counter the less-than-positive connotations thus built up around the word "parlor," architects intentionally started using the term "living room" for modern houses. Makes sense. If you don't want a room to be associated with death, call it a living room.
Mostly, they were used for guests and special occasions. When people died they would be laid out in the parlor. And of corse, if you were a medium, the parlor was where you held your Seances to contact the dead. Apparently, in an active effort counter the less-than-positive connotations thus built up around the word "parlor," architects intentionally started using the term "living room" for modern houses. Makes sense. If you don't want a room to be associated with death, call it a living room.