# Yet another word (meaning) origin thread: The late dead person.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926 "2003-07-03T01:57:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926/1 "2003-07-03T01:57:24Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926/2 "2003-07-03T12:55:13Z")

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Bumping to see if those 9-5 Dopers not already on Holiday mode know the answer.

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**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926/3 "2003-07-03T13:06:46Z")

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Based on the fifth definition [here](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=late),

> [@](#):
>
> 1. 
> 
> a. Having recently occupied a position or place: _the company’s late president gave the address._  
> b. Dead, especially if only recently deceased: _in memory of the late explorer._

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.

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-word-meaning-origin-thread-the-late-dead-person/185926/4 "2003-07-03T13:09:28Z")

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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.