Podium vs. Lectern

Podium vs. Lectern Podium vs. Lectern Podium vs. Lectern By Maeve Maddox A reader laments the confusion between these two words: Here in the United States anyway, people are constantly using the word â€Å"podium† (what you stand on) to refer to the â€Å"lectern† (what you stand behind). The reverse, not so much. Confusing these two words erodes the richness of the language. We’re on the verge of having two words for â€Å"lectern† and none for â€Å"podium.† The confusion must be widespread: the OED already notes the use of podium to denote a lectern as â€Å"North American extended use.† I’d call it â€Å"extended misuse.† And it’s not just the North Americans who confuse the words. I discovered this example in a British newspaper: Just days after Sarah Palin revealed she was â€Å"seriously interested† in running for president in 2016, she stood behind the podium at the Iowa Freedom Summit and delivered a bizarre and rambling speech to the audience.- The Independent The Associated Press Stylebook- an American publication- recognizes the difference: lectern, podium, pulpit, rostrum: A speaker stands behind a lectern, on a podium or rostrum, or in the pulpit. The word podium derives from the Latin word for foot. One stands on a podium for improved visibility. For example, a band director stands on a podium to conduct. The word lectern derives from the Latin verb legere, â€Å"to read.† Readers or speakers stand behind a lectern and rest their notes on its sloping surface. In looking for misuses of the words podium and lectern, I used variations of prepositional phrases beginning with behind and on. Note: It is possible to stand behind a podium. For example, athletes stand behind the podium until it is their turn to mount the podium and receive their awards. Standing on a lectern, on the other hand, would be a risky thing to do. Speakers usually stand at or behind a lectern. The following examples illustrate nonstandard uses of lectern and podium: Incorrect: Minutes later, he entered Room 5, stepped onto the lectern for the final time, and tried to summarize how it felt to be leaving a job and a school he felt blessed to have worked for. Correct: stepped behind the lectern Incorrect: Dr. Bryan used no electronic slides or projection system but simply  stood behind the podium and delivered  what was for me the most thought provoking lecture  of the week. Correct: stood behind the lectern or stood on the podium Incorrect: The lecturer stood high up behind a tall podium,  so you could just see the top  of his head. Correct: stood high up behind a tall lectern Incorrect: These people were obviously in full view  of Romney as he  stood  at the  podium  and spoke for more than an hour. Correct: as he stood on the podium Dictionaries notwithstanding, careful speakers will continue to observe the useful distinction between lectern and podium. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Avoid Beginning a Sentence with â€Å"With†5 Lessons for Mixing Past and Present Tense20 Criminal Terms You Should Know