Why are Dead People said to be Late?

Question

Like we say the late Mr/s X. Why the use of the word “Late”? What are they late for; and aren’t they earlier to death than those who call them “late”?

Answer 1

Old tombstones were engraved, in place of RIP (for Requiescat In Pace) with L.A.T.E meaning "Laid Aside Til Eternity," and that this is the origin of our use of "late" to mean "deceased".

(Not really!)

Answer 2

It comes from "of late". In Italian they use the phrase "che fu" or "che non c'è più", lit. "who was" or "who isn't any more". In isiXhosa the phrase "asleep" is sometimes used if I am not mistaken, amongst other phrases. It is connected with superstition and taboos. In many societies it is taboo to speak of the dead or name them at all. In Xhosa culture hlonipha was a part of this too wasn't it? Interestingly the Romans used the phrase "vixi", lit "has lived" which is why the number 17 is considered unlucky in Italian culture, VIXI can be rearranged to XVII, or 17......
Interesting question

Answer 3

I Guess Because They Are Late In Life, (Whatever That Means)

Answer 4

According to Wikipedia it is the following:

Euphemism for deceased, particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. Often used with the.

It also sounds better than saying deceased.

Answer 5

Origin of 'the late' Mr.

The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest example of "late" meaning recently deceased is dated 1490. "Late" as an adjective meaning "recent but not continuing to the present" is similar, but the OED's first citation for it is from approx. 1548, so this sense may not have given rise to the "recently deceased" one. The OED says this latter sense of "late" apparently developed from an adverbial use, defined as "Not long since (but not now); recently (but no longer)." Its first quotation for "late" as an adverb in this sense is "John the monke late cardynal of Rome" (1474).

Answer 6

I have no idea. This sounds like a good word suggestion for HotForWords on youtube. She investigates the etymology of words that viewers suggest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMWQXyJzWlk

Answer 7

I guess they are late because they will never be on time again?

Answer 8

I guess because saying they are DEAD , seems a bit "cold"
Late , is warmer - basically it is a euphamism....

Answer 9

Have you ever seen a dead person that was early?

Answer 10

Because they never show up for their funeral in time