His oyster table stood at the lower end of the room, which was in constant use twice a day all the year round (Source)
What is this lower? Does this mean it is sunk? But it doesn't make sense.
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I've never heard that before. It probably made sense to people in 1827. Why are you reading such an old book?– DangphJul 13, 2014 at 9:16
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Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you? Can we see these more recent examples please.– DangphJul 13, 2014 at 9:28
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In that game, the camera has a fixed orientation. The lower side of the room is the side that is lower on the computer screen. youtube.com/watch?v=iNwuTW2bSyI– DangphJul 13, 2014 at 12:22
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1 Answer
If the dwelling was a hut with a dirt floor, the 'lower end' could be physically lower. Here, the dwelling is a proper building, so the lower end is probably the less formal end, away from the door/window/important furniture (note that there's a desk, bible and book of martyrs at the 'upper end' of the room).
The only example I found is here, in a travel review.
(EDIT: PS I often tell my students not to worry about every detail of specific meaning when the general meaning is clear. In this sentence, the room clearly has two ends, with the oyster table at one end and the desk at the other. On the other hand, it is good that you are reading carefully, that you want to understand and that you are asking questions.)
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I found this: "That the seats at the upper end of the room be reserved for Peeresses, and Foreign Ladies of distinction." That was from 1787. In this case the "upper end" of the room is end where the people of a higher social class sit.– DangphJul 13, 2014 at 12:36