kn words

[mathman]

There are words in English starting with kn (know, knight, etc.) where the k is silent. Where did this construct come from?

 

[DaveC426913]

https://www.google.com/search?q=kn+letter+combo+etymology

 

[C C]

There are words in English starting with kn (know, knight, etc.) where the k is silent. Where did this construct come from?

The K was uttered in Old English, but became vestigial by 1750.

Oh drear,
Why address a dead and buried matter?
Because 'twas still as Santa's night in here.
Someone had to break the peace with chatter.

 

[exchemist]

There are words in English starting with kn (know, knight, etc.) where the k is silent. Where did this construct come from?

It's Germanic.

Knecht, a servant became knight.
And knopf is a knob.

And so on.

 

[Kristoffer]

We also pronounce the k's and the g's in Denmark.
Knægt, kniv, Knud, gnu, gnier, knævre, knæk are some examples.

 

[DaveC426913]

It's Germanic.
Knecht, a servant became knight.

In French it became kinniggit!

 

[sideshowbob]

" A kneekt there woz, and that a warthy mon.... (My 11th grade English teacher reading Chaucer to us.)

 

[mathman]

https://www.google.com/search?q=kn letter combo etymology

Interesting article. It included the combination gn with a silent g, with Germanic derivation words (gnat) and Latin (reign).

 

[DaveC426913]

Interesting article. It included the combination gn with a silent g, with Germanic derivation words (gnat) and Latin (reign).

That's the beauty of Google. Many, many things can be discovered on one's own.

 

[Michael 345]

That's the beauty of Google. Many, many things can be discovered on one's own.

If you have the knack

 

[DaveC426913]

If you have the knack

And only if you knuckle under and do it.

 

[Sarkus]

If you have the knack

And only if you knuckle under and do it.

Knock it off, you two.

 

[DaveC426913]

Knock it off, you two.

Michael started it. He's such a knob.

 

[Michael 345]

Michael started it. He's such a knob.

The rest of you are knock kneed