Episode 190: Union, Division and Unusual U
Summary
This episode explores the 1640s, focusing on the English Civil War and its linguistic impacts. It details how the abolition of the Star Chamber sparked a printing boom that helped standardize English spelling. The host also explains the phonetic shift of the letter U, which acquired a 'Y' glide due to French influence and the Great Vowel Shift. Additionally, the episode traces the origins of proverbs in George Herbert’s work and the etymology of terms like 'propaganda,' 'Roundhead,' and 'Cavalier.'
Topics discussed
Introduction: The 1640s, Civil War, and the Letter U
Early Proverbs: Outlandish, Franklin, and George Herbert
Charles I, the Short Parliament, and the Second Bishop's War
The Great Vowel Shift and the Evolution of the Long U Sound
French Influence, Yod Dropping, and the Modern U Pronunciation
The Long Parliament, Star Chamber Abolition, and Printing Revolution
Origins of Propaganda, Roundheads, and Cavaliers
The Irish Rebellion and the North-South Divide in England and America
Puritan Bans on Theater and the Closure of Playhouses
Richard Hodges' Homophones: Corpse, Realm, and Suit
The Split of the Short U Sound and Regional Dialect Differences
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