mathhobbit: (Default)
mathhobbit ([personal profile] mathhobbit) wrote2022-08-01 09:32 am
Entry tags:

Word of the Day

rabbit

Why two b's?
desireearmfeldt: (Default)

[personal profile] desireearmfeldt 2022-08-01 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Because otherwise it would be RAYbit?
desireearmfeldt: (Default)

[personal profile] desireearmfeldt 2022-08-02 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Good point. I'd argue that rabid is the rule-breaker here, at least in terms of "rules of English that are simple and useful enough to be taught in elementary school despite all the exceptions." Double letter after the vowel --> short vowel. Except, of course, for the exceptions.

I was gonna say "because German vs Latin" but apparently we're not really sure about the etymology of "rabbit," plus there seem to be romance/latinate possible-origin words that only have one b.

https://mashedradish.com/2016/03/25/pulling-rabbit-out-of-the-etymological-hat/

So, I think you were right in the first place. Why rabbit?