On the Carpet Once Meant Under Discussion
A carpet covers a floor. The phrase on the carpet has swung from meaning under consideration to being told off.
A carpet is a heavy floor covering. Before floors, carpets covered tables: a matter *on the carpet* was one laid on the table cloth for discussion. When bosses acquired carpeted offices while workers did not, being called *on the carpet* came to mean being summoned for a reprimand.
- A floor covering. *A fitted carpet.*
- To cover thickly. *Carpeted with bluebells.*
- On the carpet — being reprimanded. *Called on the carpet.*
- Sweep under the carpet — conceal. *Swept under the carpet.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | carpet | A worn carpet. |
| Plural | carpets | Persian carpets. |
| Verb | carpet | Carpet the stairs. |
| Adjective | carpeted | A carpeted hall. |
| Related | rug | A woollen rug. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The floor was carpeted in leaves.Figurative.
- They swept it under the carpet.Concealed the problem.
- The red carpet was rolled out.A ceremonial welcome.
Carpet and rug
- Carpet — usually fitted wall to wall
- Rug — smaller, loose, movable
- Pile — the raised fibres on the surface
- Kilim — a flat woven rug without pile
- Red carpet — a ceremonial welcome, recorded from ancient Greek drama onwards
From Medieval Latin *carpita*, a thick cloth, from Latin *carpere*, to pluck — the cloth was made from unravelled fibres.
Where does *on the carpet* come from?
From a table covering: matters laid on the carpet were up for discussion. The reprimand sense came later, from managers' carpeted offices.
Carpet or rug?
A carpet usually covers the whole floor. A rug is smaller and can be moved.