Has anybody ever thought about the terms left and right in politics?

How did socialism/communism become the left?

Well, I think about it, so I'll tell you my musings.

In all walks of life, left is seen as 'wrong'

Even the word tells you - right is right, right?

Therefore, left is wrong.

In fact, the origin of the word Left in English comes from the word Lyft, meaning weak or foolish.

Left Handed was seen as wrong, Going back some time, if you were left handed you were seen as a witch, we know what happened to suspected witches.

At school, left handed people were forced to use their right hand

Left field: a view that is seen as far from a mainstream view.

The word Sinister comes from Latin and means... yep, you got it, left.

Whereas the Latin for 'right' is dexter.

Think dexterous- "showing or having skill".

Therefore, it stands to reason that in 1790s France, those that opposed the Kings right to a veto had to sit to the left (remember, the 'sinister' side) of the president - and were deemed radical. Those in agreement sat to his right.

Anyway, im rambling, you're probably bored (if you made it this far) and what I've said is probably nonsense anyway.

But the gist is, I dont think the left and right part of politics happened by accident. We were called the left because we are seen as weak, foolish and radical.

So pleased this has been so well received, made it worth the (tiny bit of) effort