word choice - Why do we say kith & kin and not kin & kith?



Why do we often say "kith and kin" and not "kin and kith"? I was taught to believe that family comes first and the other later, and I do still believe in what I was taught.



Answer



I'll try to satisfy your curiosity.


Kith originally meant your native land. So kith and kin was "country and relatives". The idea behind the phrase was that country is more important than family. This sentiment promoted patriotism and people were motivated to leave their families and serve their countries.


Later, kith evolved to mean your society, or your friends and relatives.


Since the relatives part is already covered in kin, the kith in the phrase only stands for friends now, and nobody using it is implying that friends are more important than family.


[source - oxford]


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