Etymology Dictionary

UPHOLSTERER,  one who supplies beds and furniture.  (E.)   Formerly called an upholder.   An equivalent form was upholdster, used by Caxton (see Prompt. Parv., p. 512, note 2), with suffix -ster for -er; see -ster (in note under Spinster).   Hence, by a needless addition of -er (as in poult-er-er), was made upholdster-er, whence the corrupt form upholsterer, by loss of d after l.   'Upholdster or upholsterer, a tradesman that deals in all sorts of chamber-furniture;' Phillips, ed. 1706.   M.E. upholder, a broker, a tradesman, P. Plowman, B. v. 325; C. xiii. 218.   At the latter reference we read:  'Vpholderes on the hul shullen haue hit to selle' = upholders on the hill [Cornhill] shall have it to sell.   It is clear from this and from my note to P. Plowman, C. vii. 377, that the upholder was a broker or auctioneer; so that the name may have arisen from his holding up wares for inspection while trying to sell them.  The derivation is from Up and Hold.   Cf. 'Vpholdere, þat sellythe smal thyngys;' Prompt. Parv.   Der. upholster-y, a coined word, from the form upholster.