The King of Hearts Didn't Make Tarts

[rosamicula]

revonrut asked why we call it the United KINGdom when we have a queen.

We do it because the words 'king' and 'queen' had very different meanings and still have different values. 'King' comes from the Anglo-Saxon cyninge which originally meant supreme (elected) military leader with an implied sacral element. Her or His Britannic Majesty is still the

Comments

[revonrut]

Och, I was on my way to delete that post. It wasn't really a serious question, in fact I was thinking I wanted to say something about the various slang terms for gay men, "queen" being one--I didn't know it means "wife," though so I guess it's not as, um . . . I guess it's more appropriate than appropriative, if you follow--but while I decided I'd better not I had already found that charming photo and I was well into my usual evening whiskey and if I post anything in the evening I almost always delete it the following morning.
I suppose now I shall have to leave it and refer any others who might read my post to your undeservedly thoughtful reply. I always get myself into trouble eventually when I think out loud online. You'd think I'd know better by now.

[rosamicula]

No worries! I am trying to post something every day, so your post acted as good prompt. I love wittering about etymology.

You shouldn't remove your drunken posts, not least because LJ needs the traffic!

[lblanchard]

In a related vein, the gender stereotyping of certain toys has morphed into pink princess sparkly, too.

[westernind]

Don't get me started on gendered authority terms. Master/Mistress is another pair with very different concordances.

[haggis]

I entirely share your opinion of the current Mrs Baldy Big Ears and the previous one.

[heatherbelles]

Ditto!

I admit to be quite happy that Camilla and Kate seem to get on just fine. (and that Kate also seems pretty well adjusted and practical. And both game for a laugh).

[apostle_of_eris]

. . . because that's its name?