Eleanor Finch
The S in the US Constitution looks like an F because it is a long s, which was the original form of the letter for written English, coming from Latin and then through the Germanic alphabet. The long s was used anywhere but at the end of a word. Over time, print led to standardized spelling, which gradually reduced regional spelling differences and eliminated the long s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the long "s" in the US Constitution | The long "s" was the original form of the letter for written English, coming from Latin and then the Germanic alphabet |
| Where it was used | The long "s" was used anywhere but at the end of the word |
| Disappearance | Once the long "s" disappeared from print, it slowly faded from handwriting as well |
| Reason for disappearance | Print led to standardized spelling, which gradually reduced regional spelling differences and eliminated the long "s" |
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What You'll Learn
- The long s was the original written form of the letter in English, derived from Latin and Germanic alphabets
- Printers at the time had mechanical typewriters, which led to the elimination of the long s due to standardised spelling
- The long s was used anywhere but the end of a word, much like the round s
- The long s slowly faded from handwriting after it disappeared from print
- The lunate sigma, used in Greek during the Hellenistic period, resembled a modern C
The long s was the original written form of the letter in English, derived from Latin and Germanic alphabets
The long 's' was the original written form of the letter 's' in English, derived from the Latin alphabet and adopted into the Germanic alphabet. The long 's' is still used in some German typefaces. The long 's' was used anywhere but at the end of a word, much like the modern-day use of long and round 's'.
The long 's' fell out of use over time. The shift from handwriting to print led to standardised spelling, which gradually reduced regional spelling differences. Printers at the time used mechanical typewriters, where each letter had a die that picked up ink and was pressed onto paper. This led to the elimination of the long 's' for practical reasons.
As the long 's' disappeared from print, it also faded from handwriting. This change occurred over several decades. The evolution of language and writing systems is fascinating, with many interesting developments and shifts over time.
Another example of a historical letter form is the lunate sigma, used in Greek during the Hellenistic period and the Middle Ages. The lunate sigma looks like a modern 'C', which is why we sometimes pronounce 'c' like 's' and sometimes as a hard 'c' sound.
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Printers at the time had mechanical typewriters, which led to the elimination of the long s due to standardised spelling
The long "s" was the original form of the letter for written English, stemming from Latin and the Germanic alphabet. During the Hellenistic period and into the Middle Ages, the lunate sigma, resembling a modern "C," was used in Greek. Over time, the long "s" was phased out of print and handwriting due to the standardization of spelling brought about by the introduction of print and mechanical typewriters.
Printers at the time utilized mechanical typewriters, where each letter had a die that picked up ink and was pressed onto paper. This technology favored standardized spelling, gradually reducing regional spelling differences. As a result, the long "s" was eliminated, as it was replaced by the shorter, modern "s."
The long "s" was typically used anywhere in a word except at the end. The disappearance of the long "s" from print led to its gradual disappearance from handwriting as well, a process that played out over several decades. This evolution in language is evident in historical documents, including the US Constitution.
The US Constitution, engrossed by Jacob Shallus and dated September 17, 1787, is an example of the transition away from the long "s." The document features the long "s" styled as "⨜." The use of "⨜" in the Constitution can be attributed to the printing process and the standardization of spelling at the time.
The evolution of language is a dynamic process, and the standardization of spelling has played a significant role in shaping the written word. The elimination of the long "s" due to the introduction of print and mechanical typewriters is a testament to the ongoing changes in language and our efforts to standardize it.
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The long s was used anywhere but the end of a word, much like the round s
The long "s" was the original form of the letter in written English, having originated in Latin and made its way into English through the Germanic alphabet. The long "s" was used anywhere in a word except at the end, where the round "s" would be used. Over time, the long "s" disappeared from print and handwriting due to the standardisation of spelling. Printers at the time had individual dies for each letter, which would be pressed onto paper, and this led to the elimination of the long "s". The long "s" is still used in some German typefaces.
The long "s" has an interesting history, and its disappearance from the English language is a reminder of how language evolves over time. The standardisation of spelling, which occurred with the advent of print, played a significant role in the disappearance of the long "s". As printing became more widespread, regional spelling differences gradually reduced, and certain letters, like the long "s", were eliminated.
The long "s" was once a common feature of written English, but its disappearance from print and handwriting over time is not surprising given the evolution of language. The English language, in particular, has undergone numerous changes over the centuries, and the standardisation of spelling played a significant role in shaping the language we use today. While the long "s" may no longer be in use, it is a reminder of the dynamic nature of language and the influence of factors such as printing and standardisation on the development of language.
The replacement of the long "s" with the round "s" in most cases was likely a natural progression as language developed and spelling became standardised. The round "s" is easier to write and is consistent with the other letters of the alphabet, which are mostly rounded. The long "s" may have persisted for a while due to its origin in Latin and Germanic alphabets, but it eventually gave way to the simpler and more versatile round "s".
While the long "s" may no longer be in common use, it is important to remember that language is constantly evolving, and the English language, in particular, has a rich history of change and adaptation. The long "s" is a reminder of this evolution and the complex factors that shape language, including the influence of other languages, regional variations, and the impact of technology, such as the introduction of printing. Today, language continues to evolve, influenced by factors such as global communication, digital media, and social change, and it will be fascinating to see how language develops in the future.
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The long s slowly faded from handwriting after it disappeared from print
The long "s" was the original form of the letter in written English, derived from Latin and the Germanic alphabet. It is still used in some German typefaces. When both the long and round "s" were being used, the long "s" was used anywhere but at the end of a word. From the Hellenistic period into the Middle Ages, another form was used in Greek: the lunate sigma, which looks like a modern "C", which is why we sometimes pronounce "c" like "s".
Print technology led to standardized spelling, reducing regional spelling differences. This led to the elimination of the long "s" for a simple reason: printers at the time used a die for each letter that would pick up ink and press it onto paper. Once the long "s" disappeared from print, it slowly faded from handwriting as well, over the next few decades.
The long "s" is still used in some contexts. For example, it is used in some German typefaces and in the logo for the London Underground, which was designed in 1916. Additionally, the long "s" can still be found in some older texts or documents that have been preserved or reproduced in their original form.
The evolution of language and writing systems is a fascinating area of study. The disappearance of the long "s" from print and handwriting is just one example of how language and writing can change over time. It is interesting to consider the factors that drive these changes, such as technology, culture, or simply convenience.
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The lunate sigma, used in Greek during the Hellenistic period, resembled a modern C
The letter 'S' in the US Constitution is written in its original long form, which resembles a modern 'F'. This long 's' was the original form of the letter for written English, derived from Latin and the Germanic alphabet. It was once common in print and handwriting, but it slowly disappeared from use over time.
Now, onto the topic of the lunate sigma. The lunate sigma is a variant of the Greek letter sigma (Σ) that resembles a modern 'C'. It was used in handwritten Greek during the Hellenistic period (4th to 3rd century BC) and was a cursive form of the capital sigma. The use of the lunate sigma was a simplification of the epigraphic form of sigma, making it faster and easier to write. This letter form is still used in liturgical books and icons today.
The lunate sigma is older than the lowercase sigma (ς) and the final form of sigma (σ), which were derived from it. The lowercase and final forms of sigma were created by closing the loop and adding a tail to the lunate sigma, respectively. The lunate sigma is also the origin of the Cyrillic letter 'C' for 's'.
The pronunciation of 'C' as 's' in some words can be traced back to the use of the lunate sigma in Hellenistic times. This letter form influenced the pronunciation of 'C' as a soft 's' sound, as opposed to a hard 'k' or 'g' sound.
In conclusion, the lunate sigma was a significant development in the evolution of the Greek alphabet during the Hellenistic period. Its resemblance to the modern 'C' and its influence on letter forms and pronunciations in various languages, including English, are notable aspects of its linguistic legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
The long "s" was used in written English at the time, coming from Latin and the Germanic alphabet.
The long "s" was used anywhere but the end of a word, much like the round "s" today.
Print led to standardised spelling, which reduced regional spelling differences. Printers at the time had a die for each letter, which picked up ink and was pressed onto paper.
The long "s" slowly faded from handwriting over the next few decades, so there was no need to change the printing process.
Yes, some German typefaces still use the long "s".
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