I feel like people misuse the X is dead, long live X construction, but maybe I’m missing something.
I’ve always taken it to be a reference to the stability and near-programmatic nature of British royal succession. So while “the king is dead” in some places historically would be a disaster with conflict surely following, in Britain it automatically and instantly becomes “long live the king” for the next king and there is no panic.
I’ve always taken it to be a reference to the stability and near-programmatic nature of British royal succession. So while “the king is dead” in some places historically would be a disaster with conflict surely following, in Britain it automatically and instantly becomes “long live the king” for the next king and there is no panic.