The living room is also called the parlor because this is where people would hang out to have conversations. Later on, other rooms were added to houses, so the term "parlor" came to mean any room used for socializing or entertainment. In English homes, the parlor was usually located on the first floor next to the entrance door. It was a large open area with plenty of space for seating and tables where families could visit and entertain guests. The word "parlor" comes from the French word "parloir", which means "to talk". So, the parlor is where we talk. In American homes, the parlor is usually a separate room instead of being part of the main living room. It often has a wall of windows that look out onto the street, which allows people to see who is at the door without having to go through the trouble of opening it. This use of windows as doors is something you won't find in European homes. The parlor is most commonly found in smaller households or those without children.