English is funny

Why do we say “double U” when it clearly looks like a “double V”?

Image: Sven Brandsma

English is a wonderful language, full of quirks that defy logic. For example, why does "colonel" sound like "kernel"? And what’s the deal with "knight" starting with a silent "k"? English has picked up all sorts of odd habits over the centuries. Did you know about these 12?

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Let’s get this one off the table first. The word "colonel" comes from the Italian colonnello, but the French changed it to coronel, adding an "r" sound. English later adopted the French pronunciation but kept the Italian spelling.

That’s why we say "kernel" but write "colonel": it is a mix of Italian spelling and French pronunciation.

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The word "knight" once had a pronounced "k," but over time, English dropped the sound while keeping the old spelling.

This mismatch is common in English, where pronunciation changes but spelling stays the same. "Knight" and "night" are homophones: they sound alike but mean different things.

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In English, "dust" can mean opposite things depending on context. You can dust a shelf to remove dust or dust a cake to add sugar.

It’s a quirky example of a contronym: a word with two opposite meanings. Context is everything!

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The only English word with five (yes, five) consecutive vowels is used to describe a not-so-cherished activity: "queueing". Of those five vowels, the pronunciation of the word only uses three.

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The letter "W" is pronounced "double U", even though it clearly resembles a double "V".

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If you take notice, the names "Zoey" and "Zoe" are pronounced in the same way. But "Joey" and "Joe" are not.

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Even though the plural of "I" is "we", and the plural for "he/she" is "they", there is no plural for "you".

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The word "ghoti" is a playful take on how weird English spelling can be. Though it looks odd, some argue it could be pronounced "fish."

Here’s how: "gh" as in tough gives the "f," "o" as in women gives the "i," and "ti" as in nation gives the "sh." It’s not a real word, but it highlights just how inconsistent English pronunciation can be.

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Granted, some letters are pronounced differently from their spelling. But few are so different as the plural word for "woman". The "o" sound is replaced by an "i" when pronouncing "women".

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The word "oversight" is a great example of a contronym: a word that means two opposite things, depending on the context it is used in.

For example, it can be used positively if we say that "the project is under careful oversight". But, it can be used negatively if we say that "the oversight cost us dearly".

Behold!

What is the "salt of the earth," anyway? 12 phrases with Biblical origins

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Many common phrases we use today are direct quotes from the Bible. Expressions like "forbidden fruit," "by the skin of your teeth," and "writing on the wall" have slipped seamlessly into everyday conversation, often with little thought to their origins. They can all be found in the pages of the Bible. Which of these sayings do you use?

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The phrase "a drop in the bucket" refers to something very small or insignificant compared to a much larger whole.

The idiom comes from the Bible, specifically Isaiah 40:15, where nations are described as a "drop of a bucket" to show their smallness in comparison to God.

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To be "at one’s wits' end" means to feel so confused, worried, or frustrated that you no longer know what to do. It describes the point where someone feels mentally exhausted and out of options.

The phrase appears in Psalm 107:27, where sailors facing a violent storm are said to be "at their wits' end." The phrase signified reaching the limit of one’s reasoning.

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"The writing is on the wall" refers to a clear warning that something bad is about to happen. It’s often used when a negative outcome seems unavoidable.

Its origin comes from the Bible, in the Book of Daniel, where a mysterious hand writes a message on the wall during King Belshazzar’s feast in Babylon. The writing foretells the sudden fall of the Babylonian Empire.

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The famous and epic phrase "Let there be light" comes from Genesis 1:3, where God speaks light into existence as the first act of creation.

Today, the phrase goes beyond its literal meaning; it symbolizes the start of knowledge, understanding, or spiritual awakening, with light replacing darkness.

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"Rise and shine" means to wake up and start the day with energy and a positive attitude. It's often used cheerfully to encourage someone to get out of bed and be active.

The phrase has biblical roots, in Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine, for your light has come." Over time, the verse’s spiritual call to reflect divine light evolved into the familiar morning pep talk we use today.

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The expression "salt of the earth" is used to describe someone who is honest, kind, and dependable. It’s a compliment often used for humble, good-hearted people.

It comes from the Bible, in Matthew 5:13, where Jesus tells his followers, "You are the salt of the earth." He was praising their value and the positive influence they could have on the world.

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"The blind leading the blind" refers to someone without knowledge trying to guide others who are equally unaware, often leading to failure or confusion.

The phrase comes from the Bible, in Matthew 15:14, where Jesus criticizes unwise leaders who are unaware of the truth yet still try to lead others.

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We’ve all heard this one. "A wolf in sheep’s clothing" describes someone who appears kind or harmless but hides harmful intentions. It warns us not to be fooled by deceptive appearances.

The phrase comes from the Bible's Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets… in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

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"Forbidden fruit" is a term that comes from the Book of Genesis, where Adam and Eve were told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Today, it refers to anything tempting but off-limits, something that is morally, legally, or socially prohibited. The idea also emphasizes the desire for what is denied.

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Used to describe a narrow escape or a situation avoided just in time, the phrase "by the skin of your teeth" also has biblical origins.

The phrase comes from the Book of Job, where Job says he escaped "with the skin of my teeth," highlighting how close he came to disaster.

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Another phrase that gets thrown around a lot, "go the extra mile" means putting in more effort than expected, showing dedication, kindness, or generosity beyond what’s required.

It comes from Matthew 5:41, where Jesus tells followers to walk two miles if asked to go one, urging people to exceed expectations.

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Our final entry is a poetic expression: "a man after his own heart" refers to someone who shares similar values, interests, or goals, a kindred spirit, deeply aligned in purpose.

The phrase comes from 1 Samuel 13:14, where God describes David as "a man after His own heart." It reflects alignment in spirit or purpose.