etymology - What is the origin of "shh"?


The word "sh" (or "shh") is an exclamation for silence:



Shh! They're listening...



Etymonline only mentions a date (1847) and the common practice of "putting a finger to the lips." Does anyone else have more information about its origin?



Answer



Many words which mean "silence, please" have the digraph 'sh'. E.g. hush and shush.


The origin of all these words however, was the Middle English word huisst(pronounced "wheesht"), which originated in round about 1350–1400A.D. Huisst as expected, meant "silence, peace".


The Scottish plea for silence also includes the 'sh' digraph: wheesht.


The sound for signalling a desire for quiet has long been associated with the sound 'sh'.


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