From a story in
后汉书 (Book of the Later Han): the official
陈藩 kept a special couch (
榻) hung up on the wall, only 'lowering it' (
下榻) when his honored friend
徐稚 came to stay. The 'lowered couch' became literary shorthand for 'putting someone up as an honored guest'. Today
下榻 is formal news-register: heads of state, delegations, VIPs
下榻 a hotel; ordinary travelers
住.
