ChatterBank0 min ago
State
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Why is a corpse laid out in their coffin (as per QEQM) called 'lying in state'? What's the state?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I believe it was originally "Lying in estate", as in surrounded by the regalia and servants etc. to which they held title in life. It was originated as a means of making sure everyone knew they were dead. At Stalins one it was reputed that the entire Politburo had a knife in their pockets just in case the old swine was faking it.