in the lap of luxury
in the lap of luxury (idiom)
/ɪn ðə læp əv ˈlʌɡʒ(ə)ri/
Meaning
- Living in great comfort, ease, and wealth.
- Enjoying an opulent lifestyle thanks to abundant money and resources.
- Being raised amid wealth and indulgence.
- Residing in conditions of extravagant comfort far beyond basic needs.
Synonyms: opulence; affluence; extravagance; prosperity; lavishness; richness; comfort; plushness.
Example Sentences
- She loved to bathe in the lap of luxury during her spa retreats in Beverly Hills.
- After the startup’s IPO, they were suddenly in the lap of luxury.
- The resort lets you holiday in the lap of luxury without lifting a finger.
- He was brought up in the lap of luxury, but he chose a modest life.
- With private chefs and a personal cinema, they now live in the lap of luxury.
Origin and History
At its heart, the phrase draws upon the literal meaning of “lap” as a place of safety, warmth, and nurturing. Think of a child comfortably nestled in a parent’s lap, being cared for and protected. This fundamental image of comfort and security is central to understanding the idiom’s foundation. Luxury, in this context, is personified as something that cradles and provides, much like a lap. It suggests being enveloped by ease and extravagance, with every need met and desire indulged.
Echoes of Royal Reclining
One prominent theory suggests the phrase emerged from the opulent practices of the wealthy and royalty in the 18th century. Imagine kings, queens, and aristocrats reclining on plush, elaborately cushioned seats, surrounded by lavish fabrics and attendants catering to their every whim. This imagery of being literally “in the lap” of grand comfort, with all the trappings of wealth around them, is thought to have contributed to the idiom’s formation. It evokes a time when extreme comfort was a direct result of immense riches and high social standing.
The Philosophical Angle: Beyond Material Comfort
While the material aspects of luxury are undeniable, another fascinating perspective touches upon a deeper, more philosophical meaning. One account recounts a Sufi mystic’s story, where a ruler seeking spiritual truth is told it is “equally crazy to expect to find Allah in the lap of luxury.” This ancient narrative, possibly dating back centuries before the idiom’s widespread use, hints at a concept where “the lap of luxury” represents a state of material indulgence that might hinder spiritual enlightenment or genuine understanding. This suggests that the idea of luxury as a specific, potentially limiting, condition might have much older roots.
A British Birthplace
The available evidence strongly suggests that the phrase “in the lap of luxury” originated in the English-speaking world, specifically within Great Britain. Its earliest known printed records and its widespread adoption in English literature point to an origin in this region during the late 18th or early 19th century.
The Earliest Printed Record
The earliest known reference to “in the lap of luxury” appears in Maria Edgeworth’s “Moral Tales For Young People,” published in 1801. In this work, the phrase is used to describe someone “brought up in the lap of luxury,” highlighting its association with a life of privilege from a young age. This literary appearance solidified its place in the English lexicon and helped popularize its use.
Variants
- brought up in the lap of luxury
- loll in the lap of luxury
- bathe in the lap of luxury.
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