4 ms·
"Doubt" is another one; borrowed from old French doute in the 13th century, with the "b" added by scribes in the 14th century. There's a bit in Shakespeare's _
by edmccard 13y ago
"Doubt" is another one; borrowed from old French doute in the 13th century, with the "b" added by scribes in the 14th century.
There's a bit in Shakespeare's _Love's Labour's Lost_ where the pedant Holofernes is ranting about how the "b" should be pronounced in those two words, but as you say, it was always silent.
EDIT: Turns out "salmon" and "solder" were originally "saumon" and "soudor", with the "l" added in the 18th century (agsin to reflect the Latin spelling)
- zhte415 13y agoI very much enjoyed this quick introduction to Shakespeare in Original Pronunciation (the sound of speech at the time) and how many puns and much interpretation is lost in modern accents. From the Open University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlpphT7n9s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlpphT7n9s