But and ben (or butt and ben) is an architectural style for a simple building, usually applied to a residence. The etymology is from the Scots term for a two-roomed cottage. [1] The term describes a basic design of "outer room" conjoined with "inner room" as a residential building plan; the outer room, used as an antechamber or kitchen, is the but, while the inner room is the ben. [2] The word but, here, comes from Early Scots/ Middle English "bouten" "outside", and ben from ES/ ME "binnen", "inside".
But and ben (or butt and ben) is an architectural style for a simple building, usually applied to a residence. The etymology is from the Scots term for a two-roomed cottage. [1] The term describes a basic design of "outer room" conjoined with "inner room" as a residential building plan; the outer room, used as an antechamber or kitchen, is the but, while the inner room is the ben. [2] The word but, here, comes from Early Scots/ Middle English "bouten" "outside", and ben from ES/ ME "binnen", "inside".