Used to indicate privacy, confidentiality, or the intimate space of one’s own home or a specific room.
At first glance, it’s just the cardinal number after three. But look closer—whether as a noun, an adjective, or part of a compound phrase— four anchors some of our most critical expressions about time, space, teamwork, and even journalism. oxford dictionary 4
“What is said within these four walls stays here.” Used to indicate privacy, confidentiality, or the intimate
And that, dear reader, is something to write home about. Enjoy this post? Subscribe to the Oxford Languages newsletter for more word stories, grammar deep-dives, and writing advice. Used to indicate privacy
Attributed to Edmund Burke and popularized by Thomas Carlyle in the 19th century.