etymology - Why is "victuals" pronounced "vittles"?


This doesn't make sense to me. Is it just laziness?



Answer



From Dictionary.com:



Word Origin & History


victuals


c.1300, vitaylle (singular), from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. vitaille, from L.L. victualia "provisions," noun use of plural of victualis "of nourishment," from victus "livelihood, food, sustenance," from base of vivere "to live" (see vital). Spelling altered early 16c. to conform with Latin, but pronunciation remains "vittles."



Vitaille had no "c", and hence its English form was pronounced "vittle". Only later was the "c" added.


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