Two of the most misused words in the English language are lectern and podium. Do you know the difference? When you present, you wish to be concise and accurate, right? Yet, very often we speak of standing behind the podium when what we should say is lectern.
It is very simple; you stand behind a lectern and stand on a podium. If you receive accolades and awards for your oratory prowess at a gala event, you will make your acceptance speech from behind a lectern. If you win a gold, silver, or bronze medal at the Olympics, you will stand on a podium when they hang the medal about your neck.
Lectern is derived from the Latin word lectus “to read” and podium comes from podia “a platform.” It is easy to remember; “lecture from a lectern.”
Always be the best you can possibly be and always use the correct word in the appropriate context. Presenting is not easy, and very often not natural. Good presenting requires practice and it always helps when we begin with the right words.