Why does 物腰の低い mean “well behaving” and not the opposite?


If `物腰` means “(good) manners” and `低い` means “low, bad”, how is it possible
that `物腰の低い` actually means “of good, gentle manners”?

I found this expression in an [article on
_keigo_](https://docoic.com/3338#i-2) and was surprised that in one sentence,
usage of an expression is considered “low in manners”, but at the same time
“polite” and “making good impression”.

> 上司や取引先に対して、「よろしいでしょうか」を使うことで、物腰の低い丁寧な人物として良い印象を与えることができます。

My quick search
[confirmed](https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1151751121)
the meaning is opposite to I’d expect. But in no dictionary did I find `低い`
meaning anything other than “low, bad quality, lower grade etc.”, with `最低`
being an example of such meanings.




The culprit there is `腰` meaning waist, but also attitude, power and
willingness to act by oneself. It is a part of many expressions including
“腰が低い” meaning “modest” and ”腰が高い” meaning “arrogant”.

The meaning then extends to `物腰` as an “attitude towards things” too. “物腰が低い”
is then “having modest manners”.

Other interesting expressions with 腰 would be:

  * 腰が重い slow in action
  * 腰が軽い hasty
  * 腰を上げる reluctant
  * 腰を入れる resolute




The culprit there is `腰` meaning waist, but also attitude, power and
willingness to act by oneself. It is a part of many expressions including
“腰が低い” meaning “modest” and ”腰が高い” meaning “arrogant”.

The meaning then extends to `物腰` as an “attitude towards things” too. “物腰が低い”
is then “having modest manners”.

Other interesting expressions with 腰 would be:

  * 腰が重い slow in action
  * 腰が軽い hasty
  * 腰を上げる reluctant
  * 腰を入れる resolute

