The Etymology of Hymn
The word 'hymn' comes from Greek 'hymnos,' a song of praise to gods or heroes, but the ultimate origin of 'hymnos' itself is unknown β it may predate the Greek language entirely.βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ Old English adopted the word as 'ymen,' dropping the aspirated 'h' that Greek had given it. For centuries, no one in England wrote or spoke an 'h' at the start of this word. Then Renaissance scholars, obsessed with restoring classical forms, reintroduced the Greek spelling, creating the silent 'h' that persists today. The same scholarly fashion produced silent letters in 'debt,' 'receipt,' and 'subtle.' Greek 'hymnos' may be connected to the verb 'hyphainein' (to weave), suggesting a hymn was originally something woven β a fabric of words and melody.