curiosity, got the better of me...

A "by-election" derives its name from the old English prefix "by-", which translates to "secondary", "subsidiary", or "side". This prefix indicates that the vote is an ancillary event rather than the primary national poll.

Here are more examples of the Old English prefix "by-" used to mean secondary, side, or subordinate:

Spatial & Physical Meanings

By-lane: A minor, secondary road or narrow lane off a main street.

By-path: A secluded, lesser-used side path or track.

By-room: A small, private side room leading off a main hall.

By-street: A quiet, subordinate street running parallel to a main thoroughfare.

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By-curious: A term used when an electrician shoves a multi-meter up his arse and becomes an ohm-asexual. I made that up btw. just in case. because.

Posted By: Tombs, May 14, 18:53:00