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The name was the most interesting part for me: > The name paternoster ("Our Father", the first two words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin) was originally applied
by brundolf 6y ago
The name was the most interesting part for me:
> The name paternoster ("Our Father", the first two words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin) was originally applied to the device because the elevator is in the form of a loop and is thus similar to rosary beads used as an aid in reciting prayers.
- dcminter 6y agoHuh. I always assumed it was because they looked a bit like a confessional with the two doors side-by-side. Many years ago I worked in Viscount House (since demolished) at Heathrow Airport where there was a paternoster lift. One day a workman tried to take a wooden ladder through it - it didn't fit. The result was... loud. I thought it was quite fun to use, but for years after I had minor nightmares about being in the thing with various things going wrong. My subconscious apparently wasn't a fan!
- vbsteven 6y agoIn Flemish (and probably Dutch but not sure) the word paternoster is used for rosary beads. I had never heard of the paternoster lift before now but just hearing the name made it immediately clear to me what it was.
- dcminter 6y agoIt makes perfect sense; I just never questioned the etymology I invented.
- User23 6y agoNah, the joke was that you ought to say your prayers before using the thing.