Learn English – The etymology оf “handkerchief”

etymologypronunciation-vs-spelling

I've heard that the origin of the word "handkerchief" is:

  • hand (in the modern meaning),
  • ker (old "cover"),
  • chief (old "head").

In old French is couvrechief.

Why these changes were take place? Can you tell more about this?

Best Answer

Some words are barely changed over the centuries, like 'mother'. Some words are mashups of mashups and this is one and 'handkerchief' is one.

Yes, as you noted it comes from 'hand' and 'kerchief', and 'kerchief' comes from Old French couvrechief for 'cover-head' ('chief' and 'cap' and eventually 'head' are related also back to Proto-Indoeuropean).

But that's backwards. Forwards, the current word is pronounced /'hæŋ-kɾ-tʃif/, which, as far as most English spelling goes with pronunciation, is fairly close. But in actual use, it has been shortened to 'hankie' /'hæŋ-kɪj/ and signifies something to blow your nose with.