Dr Danny Bate @dannybate.com · Jun 22

Noticed on this 17th-century map the spelling "mershe" for 'marsh' – this is the older spelling, before the 'ER > AR' sound change that affected 'starboard', 'darling' and the pronunciation of 'sergeant' too. The change obscures the etymology of 'marsh': as literally 'mere-ish', a lake-like thing.

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Replies

Robbie Rowe · Jun 22

That's interesting, there's a village near Romsey in Hampshire called Michelmersh

Dr Danny Bate · Jun 22

Middle English 'ER > AR' shift: Sound and spelling changed: barn, darling, farthing, farm, harbour, parson (= person), star, starboard, start, varsity (= university) Sound but not spelling: Berkshire (UK), clerk (UK), sergeant ~ as discussed in 'Why Q Needs U', Chapter R

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broadsgirl.bsky.social · Jun 22

Great map 😘

Dr Rob · Jun 22

I was just reading about the er>ar shift in Chapter R yesterday!