Today is the birthday of Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), an Englishman most famous for keeping a diary during the 1660's. The subject matter ranges from very personal matters (such as his bodily functions and his wife's periods) to observation and commentary on social and political events of the day. Since he kept said diary during the period of the Restoration of the Stuarts, there was plenty to observe and comment upon.
But what is really, really fascinating about this guy is that his last name is pronounced "Peeps."
How do you get Peeps out of Pepys?
Well, think back to my discussion of "mum's the word" in which I pointed out that in the 15th-century our lyppis were sealed, but by the time we got to Shakespeare, it was our lips that didn't move. There are many words from Middle English that end in -is and -ys that end up as plain old -s as time goes by.
But it's still real weird. I think that English scholars perpetuate the practice of pronouncing it Peeps just so they can feel superior to the people who pronounce it like it looks. At least no reader of my blog will ever make that mistake.
Happy birthday, Mr. Pepys. Goodbye, Mr. Chippys.
I was pronouncing it "Poops" all this time but then I wiped my screen and noticed the actual letters involved. Your readers may want to take a walk through history by walking through Mr. Poops diary themselves at: http://www.pepysdiary.com/
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