Home » Dictionary » bedpost

bedpost

bedpost
 v.— «The inspection result: Twenty-five demerits, which meant Kiyone was “bedposted”—she could not leave her room (aside from meals) during the next holiday.» —“Tenchi Wakusei” by Joe Meadows FanFiction.Net Feb. 19, 2002. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 comments
  • I’m the author of “Tenchi Wakusei.”

    The terms “bedpost” and “bedposted” are jargon used in military officer training schools, such as the Air Force Academy and Officer Training School (I attended the latter). It means exactly what the citation indicates–if you “earn” enough demerits, you’re restricted to your dorm room during a given weekend or holiday.

    Since the anime character, Kiyone Makibi, attended an kind of officer training school, albeit one in outer space, I used an actual bit of military jargon when describing her situation in my fanfic novel.

    I doubt if “bedpost” will ever make it into any dictionary, but the term is in use.

  • Thanks for the information. I have found the term in use elsewhere, but I agree with you: it’s not common enough to earn a full definition; however, it’s worth putting on the record as it fits neatly into my definition of “fringe English.”

Further reading

At First Blush (episode #1529)

Book recommendations and the art of apology. Martha and Grant share some good reads, including an opinionated romp through English grammar, a Spanish-language adventure novel, an account of 19th-century dictionary wars, and a gorgeously illustrated...

Up Your Alley (episode #1504)

Book recommendations, including a collection of short stories inspired by dictionaries, and a techno-thriller for teens. Or, how about novels with an upbeat message? Publishers call this genre up lit. Plus, a clergyman ponders an arresting phrase in...

Recent posts