If your family is firmly established in a community, you may describe them as having laid down roots, much like an old oak tree. You might want to refer to your family’s position as “deep-seeded” — but while there’s an undeniable botanical connection between roots and seeds, there’s a clear grammatical distinction between the two.The proper spelling for this adjective is actually “deep-seated,” and there’s an etymological reason to help you remember.
“Deep-seated” comes from the verb “to seat,” with one definition meaning “to install in a seat of dignity or office” and another being “to put in a sitting position.” According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the adjective form dates to 1741, when it more literally meant “having its root far below the surface.” Despite the connection to roots, the usage was always intended to be related to “seat,” not “seed.” By 1847, “deep-seated” developed a figurative meaning of being “firmly implanted.” People often refer to a person’s strongly held convictions as “deep-seated beliefs,” or old customs as being “deep-seated traditions.” All this is to say that “deep-seeded” is the incorrect spelling, despite the possible path you could trace from the act of planting seeds.
There are times when it’s OK to use the word “seeded,” but it should never follow the prefix “deep-.” For example, in sports, the concept of “seeding” appeared in tennis tournaments in the early 20th century. The term’s origin is unknown, but one idea is that players were “planted” in a certain spot so that players of certain desired rankings would end up playing each other. “Seeding” has since expanded to other tournament sports, namely college basketball, in which fans might talk about “the fifth-seeded UCLA squad.”
As a final reminder for choosing the correct spelling of the adjective, think of the well-established outline of your rear end in your favorite recliner. This is perhaps the most literal example of something that could be considered “deep-seated,” as it’s a depression that took hundreds of hours to produce. So if you’re ever confused about whether it’s “deep-seated” or “deep-seeded,” just remember the idea of leaving a souvenir of your seat in a comfy chair.
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