Hold Sway

Posted by James Briggs on October 22, 2002

In Reply to: Hold Sway posted by Frances on October 22, 2002

: Does anybody know the derivation of the expression 'hold sway'? It is presumably nautical but I have been unable to find a source.

This is an archaic use of the word, which comes from C16th Old Norse meaning to "bend", a motion still implied in modern usage.

• "Archaic use"? Tim Eckes 10/22/02
  • "Archaic use"? James Briggs 10/23/02