Do "right" (as in "the right answer"?) and "right" (as in "left and right") come from the same origin? if so, why is right right?
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Anonymous
ANSWERS: 3
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My understanding is that the political terms "left" and "right" originated in the French parliament a few centuries ago. The parliamentary chamber had an aisle down the center of it. Those that were more conservative politically sat on the right side of the aisle, while those who were more politically radical sat on the other side of the aisle. Hence, "right" and "left" became shorthand for ones political views.
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The right (as in correct) comes from an Old English term meaning rightan, or in Latin form correcta. The right (in left and right) comes from a Latin word that was later translated into Greek formation. They thought of this word 'ruled' or moved. There are still many words that sound the same, but they can come from different orgins.
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Latin "rectus" is "right," and the root is cognate with the Anglo-Saxon "rihtan." As for why right is right, there is in many languages a built-in prejudice against lefties. Latin "dexter" is "right" also, and dexterous means skillful. Latin "sinistra" is "left," and our word sinister is not a complimentary word. For right and left French has "droit" and "gauche," the latter entering English as a synonym for socially awkward. For right and left German has "rechts" and "links," and they use "linkische" to mean clumsy. Spanish has "derecho" and "izquierda" but I don't know whether the latter has negative connotations. Spanish speakers? Clue me? Anyway, no fair! But only about 10-11 percent of people are left-handed, so they get outvoted.....
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