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Source: p 137, Syntax, A Generative Introduction (3 ed, 2012) by Andrew Carnie
xxix) Oblique: any NP/PP in the sentence that is not a subject, direct object of a preposition, direct object, or indirect object.
I understand the definition above, but what motivated the choice of this term?
I am conjecturing the word choice not to be random.
Casus rectus and Casus obliquus are calques on πτῶσις ὀρθή (“upright fall”) and πτῶσις πλαγία (“sideways fall”) respectively. It has been suggested that these were originally technical terms in a game of dice.
