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"Left" probably comes from the proto-indo-european root "laiwos", which means to bend or curve. "Right" probably comes from "hregtos", which means straight and
by cynicalpeace 2y ago
"Left" probably comes from the proto-indo-european root "laiwos", which means to bend or curve. "Right" probably comes from "hregtos", which means straight and correct.
Makes sense, since most people don't write well with their left hand.
English retains this connotation strongly since "right" also literally means "correct" or "straight" (both of which come from the same root too)
Then you add in the political connotations "right wing" and "Human Rights" and the subject becomes endlessly fascinating.
- bee_rider 2y agoRight wing is just the side of the room some guys sat on during some arguments in the French Revolution, or something like that, right? I always assumed “rights” as in human rights were derived from writ, as in a type of written document issued by a court (which could be used to clarify somebody’s rights). I guess write and right could be related though.
- cynicalpeace 2y agoNo, I don't believe "rights" come from "writ". It comes from "right" meaning correct and straight, since "right" also had a legal connotation (think "rule" which also comes from the same PIE root). You see this clearly in other IE languages like Spanish where "a la derecha" means to the right, "derecho" means straight (which can be confusing), and "derechos" means "rights" in the legal sense.