Random thought about the word "right"

[KingNothing]

Was it a synonym for "correct" or the opposite of left first?

In the frequent flier miles thread, Riprorin mentioned that driving on the "wrong" side of the road scares him because, of course, he's used to driving on the "right" side. And the majority of people are right-handed. I'd be interested to see some information on which definition came first.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

It started off with the definition of being "correct", based on a Greek/Latin cognate, IIRC.

The definition of "opposite of left" came later, when the right hand was viewed as the more "correct" one (as the majority of people are right handed).

 

[KingNothing]

A related question: do any other languages use the same word for both meanings as well?

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

None that I know of.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
A related question: do any other languages use the same word for both meanings as well?

The Italian word for left is sinistra...which comes from the latin root of the English word "sinister"

[Edit] So to answer your question, I don't know. There's actually some interesting notes here - Link

 

[KingNothing]

bump

 

[Lord Evermore]

http://www.etymonline.com/inde...ht&searchmode=none

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
A related question: do any other languages use the same word for both meanings as well?

Yes, actually in Vietnamese the word for both is pha~i.

I've always wondered why the two were the same as well, that was a good explanation.

 

[KingNothing]

bump

 

[Sophia]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: KingNothing
A related question: do any other languages use the same word for both meanings as well?

The Italian word for left is sinistra...which comes from the latin root of the English word "sinister"

[Edit] So to answer your question, I don't know. There's actually some interesting notes here - Link

Spanish has izquierdo meaning left, from the same latin root I believe. Derecho means right (not left), straight, and also right(s) as in derechos humanos (human rights), derecho penal (criminal law) and others.