membre/member shift

DrZoidberg · Mar 27, 2010

Here's a very specific question I'm hoping somebody can answer. This is about when the word currently spelled "member" took it's current form.

At what time in English did the shift from spelling "membre" to "member" occur? Or even more specifically, if somebody very well educated and literate would write the word "member" in 1776, how would they spell it?

This might be seen as pedantry verging on the manic, but I'd prefer if my WIP won't be quoted on:

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe

I hope there is somebody who can answer this.

DrZoidberg · Mar 27, 2010

No need to look. I found it. It's been "member" since 1100 AD

Kitti · Mar 27, 2010

I've found plenty of instances of "membre" in documents dating throughout the 17th century, but after that English spelling became increasingly standardized. By 1776 you should be fine with "member."

angeliz2k · Mar 27, 2010

At that time period, spelling was anything but standard, though it was closer to how we spell things than, say, in the 17th century. If you spelled things in the modern way, you will be fine, because at that time period someone would have spelled it that way, even if everyone didn't. And the modern spelling will keep your reader from needing to pause over a word.

membre/member shift

DrZoidberg

aka TomOfSweden

DrZoidberg

aka TomOfSweden

Kitti

procrastinatrix

angeliz2k

never mind the shorty