When, why and where did “the late” come to mean deceased? Because once you’re dead you’ll neve be on time for anything ever again? He used to be Ted but lately he hasn’t been so Ted-like?
Just wondering.
Bumping to see if those 9-5 Dopers not already on Holiday mode know the answer.
Based on the fifth definition here,
I would guess that the meaning is derived from the expression of late, meaning until recently. I’m sure someone with an OED subscription can provide a more detailed answer.
The editors of OED think that it derives from one of the adverb definitions of “late:”
a) Recently; of late; in recent times; not long since; but now; (obsolete) not long ago
b) Not long since (but not now); recently (but no longer)
“Late” meaning recently departed is attested since the 15th century with the meaning of being recently alive, but no longer.