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Discussion » Questions » Language » 'Queue' is just Q followed by 4 silent letters, what role does a silent letter play, why not remove it?
Veena.K

'Queue' is just Q followed by 4 silent letters, what role does a silent letter play, why not remove it?

Posted - February 7, 2017
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Responses


  • 53504
    I think I'm in love with you.

    ~
      February 8, 2017 12:01 AM MST
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  • 7683
    LOL why do you say that?
    I think I know,is it because I'm framing questions on grammar, syntax etc presumably your domain;)) This post was edited by Veena.K at February 8, 2017 6:19 PM MST
      February 8, 2017 6:16 PM MST
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  • 53504
    We should run away together.

    ~
      February 8, 2017 6:21 PM MST
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  • 7683
    Ok wait,lemme ask my hubby first;))
      February 8, 2017 6:24 PM MST
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  • 53504
    Er, um, don't bother; I just asked my wife, and no one is going to be running away with anyone else anytime soon.



    ~
      February 8, 2017 7:05 PM MST
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  • 10998
    Noah Webster did just that. You can spot Americans because we write humor instead of humour.
      February 8, 2017 2:40 AM MST
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  • 7683
    Yes Jane, Americans have a vocabulary that's far simpler, gas instead of petrol, but why did they opt for elevator? Lift is a simpler word,right? This post was edited by Veena.K at February 8, 2017 7:06 PM MST
      February 8, 2017 6:22 PM MST
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  • We don't even bother pronouncing the "H" in herb. :)
      February 8, 2017 6:26 PM MST
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  • Sometimes it's removed in the interest of marketing. Were you aware that rap music is spelt with a silent 'c'? 
      February 8, 2017 2:46 AM MST
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  • 53504
    LOLOLOLOL!
    ~
      February 8, 2017 5:31 AM MST
    1

  • 7683
    Oh I didn't Didge, imagine music with silent syllables;))
      February 8, 2017 7:16 PM MST
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  • 170
    I recommend "The Big Book of the Loo" - about 400 pages long, full of interesting (but usually inconsequential) facts. It has a long section on the spellings of words and the use of letters within them.

    Have you ever considered how to pronounce ghoti, for instance?
      February 8, 2017 3:00 AM MST
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  • 44604
    Fish.
      February 8, 2017 6:56 AM MST
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  • Ghoti is a long time favourite. Thank you, GBS. :)
      February 8, 2017 8:34 AM MST
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  • 7683
    Plingsby, I will see if I can get hold of that book in the library in our area.Sounds interesting.
      February 8, 2017 7:20 PM MST
    0

  • 44604
    The French spell most of their words like that. I asked a French-speaking student to pronounce the name "Hugh" in French. He couldn't.
      February 8, 2017 7:00 AM MST
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  • It would certainly have an effect on the game of ...

      February 8, 2017 7:41 AM MST
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  • 7683
    I agree;))
      February 8, 2017 7:21 PM MST
    1

  • 13395
    The 'need' for silent letters was created by the manufacturers of ink just so they could sell more of their product. 
      February 8, 2017 8:13 AM MST
    3

  • Cynic! 
      February 8, 2017 8:35 AM MST
    3

  • 53504
    Hey, wait a second . . . 
    ~
      February 8, 2017 6:20 PM MST
    2

  • 7683
    LOL;))
      February 8, 2017 7:21 PM MST
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  • They're waiting their turn
      February 10, 2017 1:18 AM MST
    1