Magic Minute Where English Comes From

By Laurie Smale

MAGIC MINUTE // The mish-mash of English origins renders much of our spelling very difficult and illogical for it’s a real hotch potch of influences, invasions, and linguistic mixtures.

The very term ‘hotch potch’ comes from an early Anglo-Norman stewpot tossed together from whatever’s to hand.

Another example is the common word yacht, spelt ‘y,a,c,h,t’, which would be a lot simpler if it were written as ‘y, o, t’!

But it’s an Old Dutch word for fast hunting vessel which can be very perplexing for those learning English!

Little wonder we term something unintelligible as ‘Double Dutch’!

Then we have puzzling sayings like ‘It’s raining cats and dogs!’, and ‘You’re barking up the wrong tree!’ that can have English learners scratching their heads in despair!

But I’ve found a little delving into the odd English word or phrase, can unveil all sorts of interesting snippets about where our colourful language comes from.

I’m Laurie Smale… Till my next Magic Minute. 🪄

#lauriesmale #magicminute # #findingmefindingyou #englishorigins #hotchpotch #englishlearners

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