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Why is it 'in the saddle' rather than 'on the saddle'?

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7

I regularly hear the phrase 'in the saddle' but 'on the saddle' seems more appropriate as you are literally on top of it, (I'm using the original definition of literally there!).

I can sit in an armchair.
A baby can sit in a high chair.
I can sit in a car.

Up to this point, it seems that if the object you are sat in/on surrounds you in some way, then you must sit in it.

I can sit on a plane (at least I've never heard someone say "I'm sitting in a plane right now"!), which is weird because you're actually inside the plane!

But i can only sit on a sofa, no one ever sits in a sofa.

So what gives? Is it just the fact that one option sounds better than the other, or is there some deeper understanding of the English language that I am missing?

phrase-meaning phrase-usage

share|improve this question

edited Aug 9 at 9:33

3-14159265358979323846264

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

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add a comment | 

7

I regularly hear the phrase 'in the saddle' but 'on the saddle' seems more appropriate as you are literally on top of it, (I'm using the original definition of literally there!).

I can sit in an armchair.
A baby can sit in a high chair.
I can sit in a car.

Up to this point, it seems that if the object you are sat in/on surrounds you in some way, then you must sit in it.

I can sit on a plane (at least I've never heard someone say "I'm sitting in a plane right now"!), which is weird because you're actually inside the plane!

But i can only sit on a sofa, no one ever sits in a sofa.

So what gives? Is it just the fact that one option sounds better than the other, or is there some deeper understanding of the English language that I am missing?

phrase-meaning phrase-usage

share|improve this question

edited Aug 9 at 9:33

3-14159265358979323846264

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

add a comment | 

I regularly hear the phrase 'in the saddle' but 'on the saddle' seems more appropriate as you are literally on top of it, (I'm using the original definition of literally there!).

I can sit in an armchair.
A baby can sit in a high chair.
I can sit in a car.

Up to this point, it seems that if the object you are sat in/on surrounds you in some way, then you must sit in it.

I can sit on a plane (at least I've never heard someone say "I'm sitting in a plane right now"!), which is weird because you're actually inside the plane!

But i can only sit on a sofa, no one ever sits in a sofa.

So what gives? Is it just the fact that one option sounds better than the other, or is there some deeper understanding of the English language that I am missing?

phrase-meaning phrase-usage

share|improve this question

edited Aug 9 at 9:33

3-14159265358979323846264

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

share|improve this question

edited Aug 9 at 9:33

3-14159265358979323846264

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

share|improve this question

edited Aug 9 at 9:33

3-14159265358979323846264

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

asked Aug 9 at 9:25

3-141592653589793238462643-14159265358979323846264

17866 bronze badges

1 Answer
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8

Both "in the saddle" and "on the saddle" are used. The difference lies in what you want to say. "On the saddle" is merely a description of the position, while "in the saddle" means "in control". I guess you could imagine an emperor sitting in his giant chair, compared with a commoner sitting on his/her little chair, for an analogy.

The same goes for "in the bed" and "on the bed". "On the bed" is a description of position, while "in the bed" implies in addition being covered by something (a sheet for example).

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  This answer is definitely in the saddle, thanks!
  
  – 3-14159265358979323846264
  Aug 9 at 14:18
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), on is used more literally, while in is used more figuratively.
  
  – Jason Bassford
  Aug 9 at 14:23
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think one exception is what the op mentioned: "on the plane" vs "in the plane". "On the plane" suggests you are taking a flight, while "in" is more literally here.
  
  – trisct
  Aug 9 at 14:56
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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8

Both "in the saddle" and "on the saddle" are used. The difference lies in what you want to say. "On the saddle" is merely a description of the position, while "in the saddle" means "in control". I guess you could imagine an emperor sitting in his giant chair, compared with a commoner sitting on his/her little chair, for an analogy.

The same goes for "in the bed" and "on the bed". "On the bed" is a description of position, while "in the bed" implies in addition being covered by something (a sheet for example).

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  This answer is definitely in the saddle, thanks!
  
  – 3-14159265358979323846264
  Aug 9 at 14:18
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), on is used more literally, while in is used more figuratively.
  
  – Jason Bassford
  Aug 9 at 14:23
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think one exception is what the op mentioned: "on the plane" vs "in the plane". "On the plane" suggests you are taking a flight, while "in" is more literally here.
  
  – trisct
  Aug 9 at 14:56
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

8

Both "in the saddle" and "on the saddle" are used. The difference lies in what you want to say. "On the saddle" is merely a description of the position, while "in the saddle" means "in control". I guess you could imagine an emperor sitting in his giant chair, compared with a commoner sitting on his/her little chair, for an analogy.

The same goes for "in the bed" and "on the bed". "On the bed" is a description of position, while "in the bed" implies in addition being covered by something (a sheet for example).

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  This answer is definitely in the saddle, thanks!
  
  – 3-14159265358979323846264
  Aug 9 at 14:18
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), on is used more literally, while in is used more figuratively.
  
  – Jason Bassford
  Aug 9 at 14:23
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I think one exception is what the op mentioned: "on the plane" vs "in the plane". "On the plane" suggests you are taking a flight, while "in" is more literally here.
  
  – trisct
  Aug 9 at 14:56
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

Both "in the saddle" and "on the saddle" are used. The difference lies in what you want to say. "On the saddle" is merely a description of the position, while "in the saddle" means "in control". I guess you could imagine an emperor sitting in his giant chair, compared with a commoner sitting on his/her little chair, for an analogy.

The same goes for "in the bed" and "on the bed". "On the bed" is a description of position, while "in the bed" implies in addition being covered by something (a sheet for example).

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges

answered Aug 9 at 10:15

triscttrisct

53922 silver badges1414 bronze badges