Today’s list of “after-the-fact” spelling corrections based on Latin, is a short list, related to the list in Editor’s Corner the other day. These are words that originally included a “b,” but as the words progressed in English, we started pronouncing them without the “b.” Years later, the experts decided the spelling should bear a closer connection to the original Latin; though the spelling changed back, our pronunciation didn’t. Thus, we have a “silent b” in some words.
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning From M-W |
Etymology From the Online Etymology Dictionary, edited for space. |
| debt | det | something owed: obligation | From Latin debitum "thing owed," neuter past participle of debere "to owe." |
| doubt | dout | to call into question the truth of | From Latin dubitare "to doubt, question, hesitate, waver in opinion." |
| plumber | pləmər [KC – my pronunciation hint: plummer] |
: a dealer or worker in lead
2: one who installs, repairs, and maintains piping, fittings, and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in a building |
From Latin plumbarius "worker in lead," noun use of adjective meaning "pertaining to lead," from plumbum "lead."
[KC – And all of your chemistry teachers will remind you that this is why the Periodic Table abbreviation for lead is Pb.] |
| subtle | səd(ə)l [KC – my pronunciation hint: suttle] |
From Latin subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven." |
I hope you enjoy the remainder of the week!
Capybaras at the Berlin Zoo
Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement
Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com
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