haitch
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From earlier aitch with an initial H (lost already in Vulgar Latin) restored, from Middle English ache, from Old French ache, from Vulgar Latin *acca, probably an extension of earlier ha, from an unidentified source. The restoration reflects the pronunciation of the letter name in several dialects of English. See the Wikipedia article about the letter.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
haitch (plural haitches)
Usage notes edit
Is often considered to be h-adding and deemed nonstandard in England, but occurs in Hiberno-English and Australian English as the standard dialect. It is also seen in scattered varieties of Edinburgh, England, and Welsh English, especially among the younger people.
Descendants edit
- → Irish: héis
Translations edit
name of the letter H — see aitch