An ottoman is a multipurpose piece of cushioned and upholstered household furniture that can have or not have a back. They were brought to Europe from Turkey in the 18th century. They perform a variety of tasks but were primarily intended to be used as footrests or stools. Today, ottomans are used for multiple purposes including chairs, beds, and even surfboards. They are named after their original function as a stool for servants or employees. This is how they are described in French language manuals from the early 20th century: "A servant's place." The ottoman was already known in France as early as 1770. It was originally called an "olla podrida" (oiled bread basket) because it resembled one of these baskets used by servants in Spain and Latin America. In England, they were first sold under the name "Turkish couch" and later just "Ottoman." An Ottoman is now any soft cushion on which to sit. These days, they are popular accessories for every room in the house except the kitchen and bathroom. Some people use them as extra seats, others as storage units. Even children have ottomans! They're useful items for everyone to enjoy. There are many different types of ottomans available today. Some are made of wood, some are foam, and some are a mix of both.