The cot is widely used in the health field
A cot is a precarious or temporary bed that can accommodate a single individual. The term has its etymological origin in the Portuguese language .
Overview
Cots take up little space and are sometimes foldable . That is why they can be moved easily. In this way, it is common for cots to be used in camps .
People who do not have the money to buy conventional beds also often use cots. Due to their characteristics, cots are cheaper or can even be manufactured by hand.
In hospitals and health centers , cots are sometimes used for those patients who do not require hospitalization, but rather need outpatient treatment or wish to make a medical consultation. If the hospital is overwhelmed or lacks sufficient resources, it can make more extensive use of the cots. Depending on the region, the cot may or may not have wheels on its legs, as well as different positions.
Scissor cot
The structure whose bed is developed with intertwined ropes or fabrics and its frame has four feet and two crossed stringers like a cross is called a scissor cot . These cots, thanks to having a peg, can be folded. It should be added that some models of baby beds are also called this way.
At first glance, the most obvious difference between this type and the normal one, such as the one used in hospitals, is that its legs are crossed once it is assembled . This makes it similar to many other folding furniture, such as tables or benches, which require this feature to take up as little space as possible when storing or transporting them.
Then we can see that the material of the structure of a conventional cot is metal, while that of a scissor cot is usually wood. Finally, the base on which the user rests is made of fabric or ropes, while the other usually requires the use of a complementary mattress.
Beyond the aesthetic differences, it is necessary to point out that this product can be used to give style to a garden or patio, by people with high purchasing power, while the metal cot, as mentioned above, is a economical alternative to the traditional bed.
It is made of metal and is cheaper than a traditional bed
In everyday speech
The expression fallen from the cot , on the other hand, is used in some South American countries to refer to a naive or low -intelligence subject. For example: “Román is a fallen off the cot, how can he suffer such a crude deception?” , “Don't try to scam me, I'm not a fallen off the cot” , “My cousin's fallen off the cot gave all his savings to a supposed investment agent who left with his money” .
If we analyze the expression in detail we can deduce that it speaks of a person who is not very aware of his surroundings , who is not able to notice the deception because he does not pay attention . In fact, it is likely that its origin lies in the idea of someone who, because they are not attentive to the limits of the bed, falls when they turn around.
Another characteristic of individuals who fit this description is that they are amazed to learn things that most people have known about for a long time. For example: "But, don't be a fool, you really didn't know that this was a forced sales tactic?" , "Of course, it took this guy who fell off the cot three months to realize that Clara and I are a couple, even though we have never hidden it."