ic nat

Old English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /it͡ʃ nɑːt/

Phrase

iċ nāt

1. I don't know
   • c. 990, Wessex Gospels, John 9:12

     Þā cwǣdon hīe tō him, "Hwǣr is hē?" Þā cwæþ hē, "Iċ nāt."

     Then they said to him, "Where is he?" And he said, "I don't know."

   • late 10th century, Ælfric, the Old English Hexateuch, Genesis 4:9

     Þā cwæþ Dryhten tō Caine, "Hwǣr is Abel þīn brōðor?" Þā andswarode hē and cwæþ, "Iċ nāt. Sæġst þū, sċolde iċ mīnne brōðor healdan?"

     Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he answered and said, "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?"