in state vs. in repose

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mm - 31 Dec 2006 00:21 GMT

This seems relevant to an English group.

What is the difference between lying in state vs. lying in repose?
President Ford will be doing both within the next few days, under the
Capital dome versus by the House and the Senate.

Does it not make a difference from Gerald Ford's pov, or do they prop
him up to look important when he is in state and put cushions under
him when he is in repose?

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Peter Duncanson - 31 Dec 2006 01:04 GMT

>This seems relevant to an English group.
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>him up to look important when he is in state and put cushions under
>him when he is in repose?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lying_in_repose

Lying in repose is when the remains of a deceased person, often
one of some stature, are available for viewing by the public.
This is different from "lying in state;" the latter term refers
to a formal honor, generally in the principal government
building of a country and accompanied by an honor guard.

In the United States, the distinction between "lying in repose"
and "lying in state" is not much observed. However, "lying in
state" is generally considered to exclusively refer to being
placed in the Rotunda of the Capitol.

The remains of presidents who die in office generally lie in
repose in the East Room of the White House. The body of a
deceased former president generally lies in repose in his home
state. However, when President John F. Kennedy lay in repose,
the term "lying in repose" meant private as opposed to a public
lying in state.

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Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)

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mm - 31 Dec 2006 04:18 GMT

>>This seems relevant to an English group.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> the term "lying in repose" meant private as opposed to a public
> lying in state.

OK, thanks. So President Ford does't have to do anything more or less
restful. That's good.

I heard on the DC Channel 4 news just now that he "lied in State" in
the Rotunda. I thought that he was an honest man, but I guess Darcy
Spears knows more about this than I do.

Then another reporter said that Betty Ford has been louded [sic, as to
pronunciation] during the past few days. She must know more Latin
than she needs to know for her job.

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Pat Durkin - 31 Dec 2006 06:39 GMT

>>>This seems relevant to an English group.
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> the Rotunda. I thought that he was an honest man, but I guess Darcy
> Spears knows more about this than I do.

I heard a comparison with how Reagan was lain in state.

> Then another reporter said that Betty Ford has been louded [sic, as to
> pronunciation] during the past few days. She must know more Latin
> than she needs to know for her job.

I think there may be some variation in the "lauded" pronunciation. We
talked about "Gaudy", but I have always pronounced "Gaudeamus" with the
"gowd" sound. And I think we celebrated "Laudate" (lowd) Sunday. But I
guess the monastery prayers were "lauds" (lawds).

I think I would have said that "Betty Ford has been lawded."

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mm - 31 Dec 2006 08:45 GMT

>> I heard on the DC Channel 4 news just now that he "lied in State" in
>> the Rotunda. I thought that he was an honest man, but I guess Darcy
>> Spears knows more about this than I do.
>
>I heard a comparison with how Reagan was lain in state.

"Laid" must be next.

>> Then another reporter said that Betty Ford has been louded [sic, as to
>> pronunciation] during the past few days. She must know more Latin
>> than she needs to know for her job.
>
>I think there may be some variation in the "lauded" pronunciation. We
>talked about "Gaudy", but I have always pronounced "Gaudeamus" with the

Definitely Latin.

>"gowd" sound. And I think we celebrated "Laudate" (lowd) Sunday. But I

Is that Catholic? That is, Latin?

As in to graduate "cum laude".

>guess the monastery prayers were "lauds" (lawds).
>
>I think I would have said that "Betty Ford has been lawded."

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

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Pat Durkin - 31 Dec 2006 17:54 GMT

>>> I heard on the DC Channel 4 news just now that he "lied in State" in
>>> the Rotunda. I thought that he was an honest man, but I guess Darcy
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
>>"gowd" sound. And I think we celebrated "Laudate" (lowd) Sunday.

Got it wrong. And I think the topic of gaudy came up because we had
just had Gaudete Sunday.
"The third Sunday of Advent, so called from the first word of the
Introit at Mass (Gaudete, i.e. Rejoice)."
Got it mixed up with:
"On it, as on Laetare Sunday, the organ and flowers, forbidden during
the rest of the season, were, permitted to be used; rose-coloured
vestments were allowed instead of purple (or black, as formerly) . . .
and cardinals wore rose-colour instead of purple."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06394b.htm
(Laetare being in Lent.)

> Is that Catholic? That is, Latin?

Yes, but Anglican, as well (I think). I don't attend Church any longer,
and don't know how many of these old customs are maintained. It just
might be that High Church Anglican is more like the Catholic Church of
my youth.

> As in to graduate "cum laude".
>
>>guess the monastery prayers were "lauds" (lawds).

"Lauds - Article on the canonical hour once known as Matins, then as
Lauds, now as Morning Prayer." From same source as above.

I should _never_ have confused the rejoice with the praise/honor thing,
even if I never studied Latin. And I graduated "cum laude"--(lowd-ay)

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / December 2006

in state vs. in repose