In (one's/its) own right

Posted by Jules on July 14, 2004

In Reply to: In (one's/its) own right posted by platypus on July 14, 2004

: : : What does this mean, exactly? Is it redundant?
: : : "She's an exciting author in her own right."
: : : Trying to find the origin and all I get is the actual phrase itself as applied to various subjects. Is it an idiom?

: : It means "by her own individuality and accomplishments", with a stress on individuality.

: : I do not know the origin and am not sure if it can be defined as an idiom.

: : Lots of very smart wordsmiths tend to hang out here so be patient while waiting for your answers.

: :: Someone was being clever; it's a pun. Not technically redundant, nonetheless, the joke plays on the perceived redundancy. write=right??
: Of course, I may be reading too much into this. There are 62 definitions for "right" in my Webster's. Number 40 states, "in one's own right>>by reason of one's own ability, ownership, etc;in or of one's self,independant of others." This cliche is often used to describe one's activity or being in proximaty to a more famous or accomplished relation(sibling, spouse, child). For example: Hillary Clinton is an able politician in her own right.

Thanks for the responses...the quote was my own, used as an example, but I guess I am pretty clever (right? write? HA!). It's clearer now and I guess "cliche" is a better definition of the phrase. Amazing what people talk about at concerts...

• In his own write Henry 17/July/04