How do we express this position: to lie across the rail bars?

Question

Look at the picture

Do we say "they are lying across the rail bars"?

Also, see this picture

Do we say "the cat is lying across the bar"?

Or what are the idiomatic way of saying that?

Those are rail tracks, not 'bars'.
– Michael Harvey
Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 11:30 — Michael Harvey, Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 11:30
Or, in British English, just 'rails'.
– Kate Bunting
Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 16:24 — Kate Bunting, Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 16:24

Ronald Sole · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-17 10:51:37Z

3

The people are lying (down) across the (railway) tracks.

The cat is sprawled (rather than lying) across the spindle securing the legs of the stool.

answered Jan 17, 2020 at 10:51

Ronald Sole

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"Spindle" is a very specific term in furniture design and feels quite out of place here. I can't imagine a casual speaker using it in this context. I would probably describe it as the chair's leg brace.
– TypeIA
Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 10:56
True, it's a technical rather than a typical description, but accurate nonetheless: homestratosphere.com/chair-parts
– Ronald Sole
Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 11:15
In British English it's a stretcher.
– Kate Bunting
Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 16:26

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