|
TO WIT [Q] From Kirstin Cruikshank: Have you any idea where to wit came from? [A] To wit is now just a fixed expression. It’s a shortened form of that is to wit meaning “that is to know; that is to say; namely”, from the English verb wit “to know”. This was a strong verb with past tense wot, as in “A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot”. In Old English it was spelt witan, and even further back it was linked with a Germanic verb meaning “to see”. In the first of these senses, it’s closely connected with the modern German verb wissen; in the second it’s the origin of our witness. It developed further to refer to a person’s understanding or judgement or mind (hence “keep your wits about you”). |
Page created 16 Jan. 1999
E-Magazine
Try the weekly World Wide Words e-magazine — it features words in the news, weird words, new(ish) words, old words, words people ask questions about, and even the occasional grovelling correction.
Notes and comments
Looking for a Christmas present? Try my new book with the strange title: Why is Q Always Followed by U?
Can't tell your sinistro- from your dextro-? Help is at hand! Consult my dictionary of word beginnings and endings.
World Wide Words is supported by its readers: take a look here to see how you can help.
Try a page at random
|