When is it appropriate to use the word late to describe someone who has died? Late, in this sense, is short for lately deceased. There’s no hard and fast time frame, although it’s been suggested that anywhere from five to 30 years is about right. It’s best to use the word in cases where it may not be clear whether the person is still alive, or when it appears in a historical context, such as “The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 in honor of the late John F. Kennedy.” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Late Meaning Deceased”
Hello, you have A Way with Words.
Hi, this is Gary from Wethersfield. I’ve been listening to your show for probably more years than I want to admit, but this is the first time I’m calling in.
Well, bless your heart. And where is this place?
Wethersfield, Connecticut.
Oh, Connecticut. All right.
Welcome to the show, Gary. How can we help?
Okay. I’ve always wondered about the use of the word late, as in the late David Bowie. I’ve heard the late John F. Kennedy and even the late Abraham Lincoln. But, you know, what about the late Cleopatra? Is there a time limit on this?
The late Cleopatra.
Yeah, there’s no hard and fast rule for that, Gary. And I’ve seen all kinds of suggestions. Some people have said in the past that 30 years should be the outside. But then more and more, you know, as time goes on, I see that people suggest even shorter periods of time, like 15 years. I think William Sapphire suggested 15 to 30 when he was alive.
The late William Sapphire.
Well, yeah, I mean, that’s a good question. How long ago did he die?
That’s been less than 10 years, I think.
Yeah.
So long were the late John F. Kennedy.
No, I mean, you might use the late John F. Kennedy if you were talking in a historical context, if you said something like the Civil Rights Act was passed in honor of the late John F. Kennedy because it was close to that time, right, 1964. My favorite recommendation comes from Brian Garner, who writes a lot about usage, and he suggests just five years, that after that, it’s not really that relevant. It’s short for lately deceased. That’s the point. That’s the clarification there.
And you’ve touched upon something that has always been in my mind when you said that John F. Kennedy, the late John F. Kennedy, blah, blah, blah, Civil Rights Act. To me, the late has always suggested that there might be some doubt in the listeners or the reader’s mind as to whether or not the person was dead at the time you were talking or the time you were talking about.
Yeah, that’s useful. You specify the late, like you may not have known that William Sapphire was dead. So saying the late William Sapphire will clue you in. Yeah, after a certain point, we all know that somebody is dead. But the late Cleopatra, you’d only say that as a joke.
And Marth and I both laughed or snickered when you said that because we recognize that as an inaccurate usage, right?
Yeah, she’s extremely late. But, you know, another point about this is that it’s a gesture of respect as well. It’s a term of respect. You know, you wouldn’t necessarily talk about the late terrorist, for example.
Right. Oh, that’s a good point. Interesting. I once used the term the late Gilgamesh.
You did?
I had only one person in the crowd react to it.
And what was their reaction, Gary?
Oh, it just a rised eyebrow. We chuckled a little bit about it.
Yeah, yeah. I think the other people didn’t know who Gilgamesh was.
Oh. I thought maybe they pumped their fist in the air to say, yeah!
Yes.
Down with Gilgamesh.
So is that helpful, Gary?
I mean, no hard and fast rule, but…
Yeah, very good.
Oh, well, good.
Well, good. We’re glad we can help.
Thanks, Gary.
Very good.
Take care.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
