In chess, the weakest piece; a person used by others for their own purposes; to give something as security for a loan.
From Old French paon, from Medieval Latin pedo 'foot soldier.' The chess piece was named for infantry, reflecting its role as the lowest-ranking military unit on the board.
The pawn's journey from 'foot soldier' to 'expendable person' to 'collateral for loans' reveals how military metaphors permeate civilian life. Paradoxically, in chess, a pawn that reaches the opposite end of the board can become the most powerful piece - the queen.
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