Why is it called the bench?

Asked by: Prince White  |  Last update: September 14, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)

The historical roots of the term come from judges formerly having sat on long seats or benches (freestanding or against a wall) when presiding over a court. The bench is usually an elevated desk area that allows a judge to view, and to be seen by, the entire courtroom.

Why is bench called bench?

Bench derives from the Germanic banc, as the familiar long shared seating. In earliest forms, it typically referred to the seating of retainers in a hall, possibly because that was the only time it was written about. The king's seat, a wide throne, was the kine-bench, with kine- meaning king.

Where does the name bench come from?

English (West Midlands): topographic name for someone who lived by a bank or raised piece of ground from Middle English bench(e) banch binch(e) 'bench bank terrace' (from Old English benc) signifying one who lived at or near a terrace or (river) bank.

Why is a judges desk called a bench?

The historical origin of the term comes from the benches that judges used to sit on in the courtroom while presiding over trials .

What does bench mean in slang?

Per Urban Dictionary, "Benching is when you start dating someone you think is nice and who has potential, but you're not crazy about them. You don't know whether to keep dating them, or dump them and move on to the next one.

'She's so bad it's not fun to watch' | PMQs Analysed | LBC

39 related questions found

What does benching a girl mean?

To bench a girl means to keep her on standby while exploring other romantic options. The person doing the benching maintains just enough contact to keep her interested but does not commit to a serious relationship. This can lead to confusion and emotional distress for the girl being benched.

What is the full meaning of bench?

noun. a long seat for several people: a bench in the park. a seat occupied by an official, especially a judge. such a seat as a symbol of the office and dignity of an individual judge or the judiciary.

How tall is the judge's bench?

The front of the standard trial bench should be 52 to 56 inches in height. This includes 21 to 22 inches for riser height, 29 to 30 inches for the work surface, and 3 to 4 inches for the privacy rail. Large trial and appellate benches may add 3 to 4 inches for the additional riser height.

What bench desk means?

Bench desks are used for saving space but also for collaboration, as it allows more than one employee to sit at the same desk. They can function as the regular desks where employees sit to carry out their day-to-day office tasks, including entering data, answering calls, filling, and so on.

What is the Supreme Court bench called?

Justices of the Court | Supreme Court of California.

What is the story behind bench?

History. Bench was established in 1987 by Ben Chan. Its first outlet was a small store selling men's t-shirts in an outlet of the SM Department Store (now SM Store).

What is a work bench called?

Manufacturing and production workbenches, often called workstations, are similar but differ in scope. Workbenches typically have larger areas and accommodate a wider variety of tasks, whereas workstations are part of production or assembly lines.

Where did the Buddy bench come from?

The Buddy Bench concept originated with Christian Bucks, as a way to bring kids together to get to know each other and make new friends. Christian's idea began with fundraising for a single Polly Products bench in his school and has since gone viral!

What is it called where a judge sits?

The judge presides over the trial from a desk, called a bench, on an elevated platform.

What is the law of the bench?

The Law of the Bench Great teams have great depth. Any team that wants to excel must have good substitutes as well as starters. The key to making the most of the law of the bench is to continually improve the team.

Is it a bench or the bench?

the bench [singular] (law) a judge in court or the seat where he/she sits; the position of being a judge or magistrate His lawyer turned to address the bench.

What is bench to bedside?

(bench ... BED-side) A term used to describe the process by which the results of research done in the laboratory are directly used to develop new ways to treat patients.

Why is it called a desk?

The word "desk" originated from the Modern Latin word desca "table to write on", from the mid 14th century. It is a modification of the Old Italian desco "table", from Latin discus "dish" or "disc". The word desk has been used figuratively since 1797.

What does bench mean in gym?

A weight training bench is a piece of exercise equipment used for weight training. Weight training benches may be of various designs: fixed horizontal, fixed inclined, fixed in a folded position, with one adjustable portion, with two or more adjustable portions, with racks to hold bars, etc.

What is a judge's hammer called?

A gavel is a small ceremonial mallet commonly made of hardwood, typically fashioned with a handle. It can be used to call for attention or to punctuate rulings and proclamations and is a symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a presiding officer.

What is the 5 judge bench?

A bench of three or five judges is called a full bench. Further Reading : Supreme Court of India.

Who is the longest TV judge?

The longest career as a TV judge is 18 years, 11 months, 2 days by Judge Judy Scheindlin (USA), who has been the presiding judge on "Judge Judy" since its premiere on 16 September 1996.

What is the origin of bench?

From Middle English bench, benk, bynk, from Old English benċ (“bench”), from Proto-West Germanic *banki, from Proto-Germanic *bankiz (“bench”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg-.

Who is called bench?

Third, the term is used to differentiate judges, who are referred to as "the bench", from attorneys or barristers, who are referred to as "the bar". The phrase "bench and bar" denotes all judges and lawyers collectively.

What is the meaning of bench slang?

Per Urban Dictionary, "Benching is when you start dating someone you think is nice and who has potential, but you're not crazy about them. You don't know whether to keep dating them, or dump them and move on to the next one.