In England the cabinet became the most exclusive and private of all chambers-the innermost sanctum where the most private meetings could take place. Then it made one of those bizarre leaps that words sometimes make and came to describe {by 1605} not just where the king met with his ministers, but the collective term for the ministers themselves. This explains why this one word now describes both the most intimate and exalted group of advisers in government and the shelved recess in the bathroom where we keep Ex-Lax and the like.
In England, the cabinet evolved into a highly exclusive and private entity, serving as the most secretive meeting place for the king and his ministers. This setting became synonymous with the most intimate gatherings of these leaders, facilitating confidential discussions essential to governance. By 1605, however, the term began to encompass not just the location of these discussions but also referred to the ministers themselves, highlighting the duality of its significance in political structure.
This transformation is intriguing, as it reveals how language can shift meaning over time. The same word now captures both the elevated status of top government advisers and the mundane space in a bathroom where everyday items like Ex-Lax are stored. This duality emphasizes the contrast between the high stakes of political decision-making and the commonplace nature of daily life, as noted in Bill Bryson's exploration of private spaces in "At Home: A Short History of Private Life."
