Historically:
* Parlor: This refers to a room in a house, typically used for formal entertaining and receiving guests. This was common in the Victorian era and earlier. Think of it like a living room, but with a more formal and elegant feel.
Currently:
* Parlor: This can still refer to a formal living room, although it's less common nowadays.
* Parlor: It can also refer to a specific type of business, like a beauty parlor (a hair salon) or a funeral parlor (a funeral home).
Other:
* Parlor games: This refers to games traditionally played indoors, such as card games, board games, and even video games.
In short, "parlor" evokes a sense of formality and gathering, often in a designated space. It can refer to a specific room, a type of business, or a category of games.