The Hamlet Project

Ribbon comes from riband. This is very logical. I like when etymology is this logical. Apparently, the Dutch ringhband is also related. That is, a ribbon was once a ring band – and become ribbon, probably just by dropping the d. And someone bedecked in ribbons is ribboned – which could sound an awful lot like riband. That’s satisfying.
This metaphor, though, something is a decoration, a little flourish on youth – but also necessary? Hmmm. Claudius? What ARE you doing here? Trying to diminish, then build back up? Is this in the gaslighting playbook?