On Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 12:13:45 PM UTC-4, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2018-06-28 11:04 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> > The Norman invasions effect on the English language really cant be
> > understated. Other words that now have two ways of saying them thanks to
> > French influence include the Anglo-Saxon want to the Norman desire, ask
> > to inquire, and hide to obscure.
>
> My nephew's wife studied linguistics and explained some of the split in
> the roots of the English language. She said that many of the official
> words, those used in government and the courts are French based and that
> the words of the heart are Germanic.... heart, house, cook, man, cheese..

I've always divided those words by social class. The Saxon serf
raises the cow but but the Norman lord eats the beef.

Cindy Hamilton