The word lieutenant derives from French; the lieu meaning "place" as in a position; and tenant meaning "holding" as in "holding a position"; thus a "lieutenant" is somebody who holds a position in the absence of his superior.
The British monarch's representative in Ireland and in the counties of the United Kingdom was/is called the Lord-Lieutenant. In French history, "lieutenant du roi" was a title borne by the officer sent with military powers to represent the king in certain provinces. It is in the sense of a deputy that it has entered into the titles of more senior officers, Lieutenant General and Lieutenant Colonel.
In the nineteenth century those British writers who either considered this word an imposition on the English language or difficult for common soldiers and sailors argued for it to be replaced by the Calque "steadholder."
In Canada and New Zealand lef-tenant is standard for all branches of the Armed Forces and for other usages such as Lieutenant governor or Quebec lieutenant. Australia follows the British system, with the Royal Australian Navy officially using the different pronunciation.
The English pronunciation was prevalent during the 14th and 15th centuries with the word being variously spelled as lieftenant, lyeftenant or luftenant. It may have originated from a mistaken reading of the 'u' as a 'v', lev-tenant eventually becoming lef-tenant. Some sources state that the original French word lieu had an alternative form spelt and pronounced lieuf, and that the modern standard English form retains the former spelling and the latter pronunciation.
It has also been speculated that it may have come from a fanciful etymology which associated it with the verb 'to leave', as the lieutenant only took up his duties once his superior officer had 'left'.
Another theory comes from the fact that in typical propriety the person or persons standing to the rear-left of a gentleman held power and were typically those directly second to him. The person or persons standing to the rear-right were considered to have no or less standing than those to the rear-left, such as aides, bodyguards, wives, etc., often holding this position for simple facility rather than societal importance. This tradition remains in military parades, with lieutenants standing to the rear-left of the commanding officer (when facing the advance.)
Conventionally, armies and other services or branches which use army-style rank titles (e.g., Marines, Military Health Service, etc.) have two grades of Lieutenant:
Sometimes the rank of Third Lieutenant is used, typically as a cadet or temporary rank indicating that the holder is a commissioned officer in the chain of command-barely.
Rarely seen these days is the rank insignia worn on formal tail-coats, which comprises a silver anchor and a star on a shoulder-board covered with gold lace.
In armies, marines and other services, there is much greater variation. In most English-speaking and Arabic-speaking countries, as well as a number of European and South American nations, full lieutenants (and equivalents) usually wear two stars and second lieutenants (and equivalents) one. The United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps are notable exceptions. These services distinguish their lieutenant ranks with one silver bar for First Lieutenant and one gold (brass) bar for Second Lieutenant. Naval lieutenants also wear bars in the same configuration as their equivalents in the other services. In the United States services stars are used for flag- and general-rank insignia.
| [image] British officer ranks | ||||||||||||
| Student Officer | OF(D) | OF-1 | OF-2 | OF-3 | OF-4 | OF-5 | OF-6 | OF-7 | OF-8 | OF-9 | OF-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy: | OCdt | Mid | SLt | Lt | Lt Cdr | Cdr | Capt | Cdre | RAdm | VAdm | Adm | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Royal Marines: | OCdt | 2Lt - Lt | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | ||
| Army: | OCdt | OD | 2Lt - Lt | Capt | Maj | Lt Col | Col | Brig | Maj Gen | Lt Gen | Gen | Field Marshal |
| Royal Air Force: | OCdt | OD | PO - FO | Flt Lt | Sqn Ldr | Wg Cdr | Gp Capt | ACdre | AVM | AM | ACM | MRAF |