The term "sedan" has a fascinating history that connects an early human-powered vehicle to the modern-day car. The word originates from the Latin sedes, meaning "seat," or sedere, meaning "to sit." This evolved into the Italian word sede, referring to a "chair",  specifically a covered chair on poles, known as a sedan chair.

In the 17th century, sedan chairs were used to carry people in an enclosed box-like structure, providing protection from the weather and privacy. These chairs were often carried by two people, one at the front and one at the rear.

By the early 1600s, the term sedan replaced "covered chair" in England to describe these human-powered vehicles. Over time, this term was adopted to describe a type of automobile with an enclosed passenger compartment. The transition was relatively straightforward, as both the sedan chair and the sedan car were enclosed, passenger-friendly vehicles.

In 1911, the Ohio-built Speedwell was the first car to be referred to as a "sedan," an enclosed, two-door automobile. The name stuck, and today, a sedan refers to a four-door car with a separate trunk and a comfortable, roomy interior.

Though the term was initially popularized in England, it was in the U.S. where the sedan truly became synonymous with practicality and comfort.