What semantic notions underlie 'sit' and 'properness'? The following words for propriety hail from the Proto-Indo-European *sed- like
I don't know if Italian sedere or Romanian`s equivalent shifted semantically.
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Sign up to join this communityWhat semantic notions underlie 'sit' and 'properness'? The following words for propriety hail from the Proto-Indo-European *sed- like
I don't know if Italian sedere or Romanian`s equivalent shifted semantically.
That's actually an easy one. Rulers sit, subjects stand. Those who are allowed to sit are noble, and their behavior defines propriety. A judge who is in office is said to be a sitting judge. A monarch is said to be on the throne. The pope issues encyclicals ex cathedra 'from the chair'. – jlawler Jul 23 at 20:45