Keep the Seat Warm for Me

KEEP  the  SEAT  WARM  for  ME

We may have heard the term “Keep the set warm for me” or words to that effect, and maybe used it in our conversation also. It usually means …“To occupy a position for someone or take over their responsibility while they are absent.”

An example would be in the form … " I don't usually work here, I am just keeping Ramesh’s seat warm while he's on sick leave.”

You are a temporary appointee. The rightful owner of that seat/position is not available at present, so you are put there to perform his/her duties.

In other forms, it could be working in a position till a preferred person is ready to be appointed in your place … “I am the Manager/ General Manager here till Seth ji’s son completes his MBA and is posted here. I am keeping the seat warm for him.”

Another variation would be … “I am the MLA here till Neta ji’s son attains age to contest election from this seat. I am keeping the seat warm for him and shall resign when asked to.”

All the above mean the same i.e., working/doing some activity till the desired/preferred person arrives, to do what you are doing at present. That person is assumed and accepted as the rightful owner of the seat/position where you have been posted temporarily. You are a temporary appointee. The rightful owner of that seat/position is not available at present, so you just keep the seat occupied. You are not supposed to take the smallest decision, what to talk of decisions of any importance. Keep a very, very low profile.

Where did this phrase originate from ?

The origins are very interesting. In the Roman era, Toilets (WC) systems were not yet developed to be available in individual homes. There were separate public toilets (WC’s) for commoners as well as for the well off’s such as senators/ rich business people etc.

These toilet seats were built of stones, masonry and marble. Built in a row, in a central easy to reach place. In the cold winter months, the stone and marble was too cold or even freezing, making them very uncomfortable to sit on.

The senators and the well off persons employed their slaves/servants to go and sit on a cold/freezing seat to make it warm enough. After an estimated time lapse, when the seat would be warm enough, the master would come along to unseat the servant, and do his ”necessary activity.”

Thus the servant/slave was “keeping the seat warm” for the master, and  this phrase came into use.

A possible dialogue among the upper echelons of the time may have gone on these lines …

Gentry (1) … “I have employed two persons to keep that seat warm for me, one in the morning, and another in the evening !”

Gentry (2) … “Oh! I did it long ago. It’s always better to have a substitute among the slaves for this sort of work. They all try to avoid working !!”

Gentry (3) … “Ha Ha! I have a team of three sitting there from morning to evening in turns. Can’t  say when I need to go !!!”