as a young English speaker first learning the Latin alphabet, one letter stood out.
as a young English speaker first learning the Latin alphabet, one letter stood out.

a mysterious letter with a strange name.
a mysterious letter with a strange name.

“w”.
“w”.

unlike practically every other letter in the Latin alphabet, w has a name which in no way
unlike practically every other letter in the Latin alphabet, w has a name which in no way

reflects its pronunciation.
reflects its pronunciation.

it makes the sound /w/, and yet it isn’t called “we” or “way”.
it makes the sound /w/, and yet it isn’t called “we” or “way”.

instead, it’s named for its shape, “double u”, which would solve the mystery if it
instead, it’s named for its shape, “double u”, which would solve the mystery if it

weren’t shaped more like a double v instead.
weren’t shaped more like a double v instead.

of course, as a child I never thought of the alphabet and its letters as having been designed
of course, as a child I never thought of the alphabet and its letters as having been designed

by anyone.
by anyone.

as far as I knew, the letter w and its confusing name were created along with the universe
as far as I knew, the letter w and its confusing name were created along with the universe

itself at the dawn of time.
itself at the dawn of time.

in reality, the alphabet was a human invention.
in reality, the alphabet was a human invention.

the letter w came from a series of decisions made by real people.
the letter w came from a series of decisions made by real people.

like every invention, there is a story behind w, and a fascinating story at that.
like every invention, there is a story behind w, and a fascinating story at that.

this is the story of w.
this is the story of w.

our story begins in ancient Egypt, nearly four thousand years ago.
our story begins in ancient Egypt, nearly four thousand years ago.

at this point in time, written language had existed in Egypt for centuries, using a writing
at this point in time, written language had existed in Egypt for centuries, using a writing

system we today call “hieroglyphics”.
system we today call “hieroglyphics”.

hieroglyphics were based on a rather elegant idea.
hieroglyphics were based on a rather elegant idea.

to write any given word, you could essentially take all of its sounds and simply draw a picture
to write any given word, you could essentially take all of its sounds and simply draw a picture

of something with a name in Egyptian that starts with each sound.
of something with a name in Egyptian that starts with each sound.

that’s a massive oversimplification, but it gets the general idea across.
that’s a massive oversimplification, but it gets the general idea across.

using this system worked great for writing Egyptian, and thanks to the wonders of papyrus
using this system worked great for writing Egyptian, and thanks to the wonders of papyrus

it was far more portable than the older cuneiform used in the North.
it was far more portable than the older cuneiform used in the North.

but in its design there was a very clear limitation.
but in its design there was a very clear limitation.

hieroglyphics simply could not be used to write any language other than Egyptian. and
hieroglyphics simply could not be used to write any language other than Egyptian. and

it was this limitation that led to the creation of what is likely the single most important
it was this limitation that led to the creation of what is likely the single most important

invention in human history.
invention in human history.

in a turquoise mine in the Sinai Peninsula, a miner scratches a short phrase into a wall,
in a turquoise mine in the Sinai Peninsula, a miner scratches a short phrase into a wall,

written in their native tongue, a language in the Northwest Semitic family.
written in their native tongue, a language in the Northwest Semitic family.

it’s the oldest known text written in a writing system that would go on to influence
it’s the oldest known text written in a writing system that would go on to influence

writing itself everywhere, forever.
writing itself everywhere, forever.

a writing system that took the idea behind hieroglyphics and adapted it into something
a writing system that took the idea behind hieroglyphics and adapted it into something

simpler, something that could be used to write multiple different languages.
simpler, something that could be used to write multiple different languages.

the first international phonetic alphabet, the Proto-Sinaitic script.
the first international phonetic alphabet, the Proto-Sinaitic script.

each letter is always pronounced as the first sound in the name of the thing it represents.
each letter is always pronounced as the first sound in the name of the thing it represents.

compared to Hieroglyphics, the shapes are more abstract, easier to write, faster to
compared to Hieroglyphics, the shapes are more abstract, easier to write, faster to

use.
use.

this is the oldest traceable direct ancestor of the modern Latin alphabet, and it is here
this is the oldest traceable direct ancestor of the modern Latin alphabet, and it is here

where we meet our protagonist.
where we meet our protagonist.

this is the letter wāw.
this is the letter wāw.

like every letter in the Proto-Sinaitic script, it makes the first sound in its name, which
like every letter in the Proto-Sinaitic script, it makes the first sound in its name, which

in this case is /w/.
in this case is /w/.

looking at this shape, you might wonder exactly what specific thing it could represent.
looking at this shape, you might wonder exactly what specific thing it could represent.

it strongly resembles one particular hieroglyph, which represents a mace.
it strongly resembles one particular hieroglyph, which represents a mace.

𓌉 but the name wāw is more likely to have meant
𓌉 but the name wāw is more likely to have meant

“fowl”, which implies that this circle and line are just a really, really abstract
“fowl”, which implies that this circle and line are just a really, really abstract

representation of a bird.
representation of a bird.

whatever the case may be, this is simply the oldest form of the letter wāw. over time,
whatever the case may be, this is simply the oldest form of the letter wāw. over time,

its shape changed.
its shape changed.

when writing the letter wāw, its loop would often not be closed all the way, gradually
when writing the letter wāw, its loop would often not be closed all the way, gradually

opening up more and more until eventually it stopped looking like a circle at all.
opening up more and more until eventually it stopped looking like a circle at all.

and then, the two strokes were connected, forming a shape that could be written without
and then, the two strokes were connected, forming a shape that could be written without

lifting your stylus. this continuous hook shaped wāw is the ancestor of letters found
lifting your stylus. this continuous hook shaped wāw is the ancestor of letters found

in many modern writing systems used all over the world, from the Arabic alphabet to Devanagari,
in many modern writing systems used all over the world, from the Arabic alphabet to Devanagari,

from the Mongolian script to the Java script.
from the Mongolian script to the Java script.

the Semitic, Brahmic, and other scripts which contain some hook-shaped-wāw-derived letter
the Semitic, Brahmic, and other scripts which contain some hook-shaped-wāw-derived letter

are collectively used by billions of people from different cultures.
are collectively used by billions of people from different cultures.

this form of wāw, however, is not the main character of this story.
this form of wāw, however, is not the main character of this story.

meanwhile, in Phoenicia, the letter wāw changed in a completely different way, becoming pointier,
meanwhile, in Phoenicia, the letter wāw changed in a completely different way, becoming pointier,

forming a shape that certainly will look familiar to you, though, you might say “why?”,
forming a shape that certainly will look familiar to you, though, you might say “why?”,

as it doesn’t resemble the letter this story is about.
as it doesn’t resemble the letter this story is about.

trust me, we’ll get to that.
trust me, we’ll get to that.

the Phoenicians probably didn’t think of themselves as having invented their alphabet.
the Phoenicians probably didn’t think of themselves as having invented their alphabet.

the changes that happened from the Proto-Sinaitic script to the Phoenician alphabet were so
the changes that happened from the Proto-Sinaitic script to the Phoenician alphabet were so

gradual they likely went completely unnoticed.
gradual they likely went completely unnoticed.

like wāw, other letters changed forms, and some were dropped entirely because they were
like wāw, other letters changed forms, and some were dropped entirely because they were

unnecessary for writing the Phoenician language.
unnecessary for writing the Phoenician language.

under the hood, however, it remained the same basic alphabet with the same basic function.
under the hood, however, it remained the same basic alphabet with the same basic function.

one change was made to the way wāw was used around the second century BC. the Phoenician
one change was made to the way wāw was used around the second century BC. the Phoenician

alphabet didn’t have any letters for vowel sounds, a trait inherited from Egyptian.
alphabet didn’t have any letters for vowel sounds, a trait inherited from Egyptian.

this was a problem, since like other Semitic languages, vowels held important morphological
this was a problem, since like other Semitic languages, vowels held important morphological

information.
information.

the solution Phoenician phoneticians came up with was to give some letters alternate
the solution Phoenician phoneticians came up with was to give some letters alternate

vowel readings.
vowel readings.

wāw was one of these letters to get a second pronunciation, the vowel /u/. this makes perfect
wāw was one of these letters to get a second pronunciation, the vowel /u/. this makes perfect

sense, because /w/ and /u/ are basically the same sound.
sense, because /w/ and /u/ are basically the same sound.

however, this was many centuries later, and it was only partially implemented at the point
however, this was many centuries later, and it was only partially implemented at the point

when the Phoenicians taught the Greeks how to write.
when the Phoenicians taught the Greeks how to write.

in the eighth century BC, the Phoenician alphabet made its way to Greece.
in the eighth century BC, the Phoenician alphabet made its way to Greece.

according to legend, the one responsible was the hero Cadmus, a Phoenician prince and monster
according to legend, the one responsible was the hero Cadmus, a Phoenician prince and monster

slayer.
slayer.

the real life analogue to Cadmus, who I’ll just refer to as “Cadmus” from here on
the real life analogue to Cadmus, who I’ll just refer to as “Cadmus” from here on

out as a convenient shorthand, lived in Greece and could write Phoenician fluently.
out as a convenient shorthand, lived in Greece and could write Phoenician fluently.

it probably only seemed natural to Cadmus to use the same system to write their other
it probably only seemed natural to Cadmus to use the same system to write their other

language.
language.

however, while the Phoenician alphabet was great for Semitic languages, the Greek language
however, while the Phoenician alphabet was great for Semitic languages, the Greek language

was dramatically different.
was dramatically different.

this meant that new letters would need to be created.
this meant that new letters would need to be created.

the one specific new distinction relevant to our story is that between the consonant
the one specific new distinction relevant to our story is that between the consonant

/w/ and the vowel /u/.
/w/ and the vowel /u/.

as we’ve seen, the letter wāw represented the consonant /w/, and occasionally could
as we’ve seen, the letter wāw represented the consonant /w/, and occasionally could

represent the vowel /u/ as well.
represent the vowel /u/ as well.

for writing Greek, however, this wasn’t good enough.
for writing Greek, however, this wasn’t good enough.

the difference between the two sounds was significant, and so a new letter needed to
the difference between the two sounds was significant, and so a new letter needed to

be created.
be created.

therefore, for the consonant /w/, the letter wāw was used, keeping its name and its position
therefore, for the consonant /w/, the letter wāw was used, keeping its name and its position

in the alphabet, and for the vowel /u/, a new letter, originally plainly named “u”
in the alphabet, and for the vowel /u/, a new letter, originally plainly named “u”

but later renamed to “upsilon”, was placed towards the end of the alphabet.
but later renamed to “upsilon”, was placed towards the end of the alphabet.

oh, oops! sorry, got those switched.
oh, oops! sorry, got those switched.

yes, the one with the new name, new position in the alphabet, and new pronunciation is
yes, the one with the new name, new position in the alphabet, and new pronunciation is

the one that kept the shape of wāw. because of this, these letters, wau and upsilon, are
the one that kept the shape of wāw. because of this, these letters, wau and upsilon, are

said to both be direct descendants of wāw, rather than one coming from wāw and the other
said to both be direct descendants of wāw, rather than one coming from wāw and the other

being invented by Cadmus.
being invented by Cadmus.

this is the story of w, and the bloodline of w is through upsilon, and not through the
this is the story of w, and the bloodline of w is through upsilon, and not through the

Greek wau. however, I believe it would be unjust to fully ignore the story of wau, which
Greek wau. however, I believe it would be unjust to fully ignore the story of wau, which

is interesting in its own right.
is interesting in its own right.

if you are familiar with the Greek alphabet but not with its history, the letter wau might
if you are familiar with the Greek alphabet but not with its history, the letter wau might

be unfamiliar to you, and that’s because not long after the invention of the Greek
be unfamiliar to you, and that’s because not long after the invention of the Greek

alphabet the sound wau represented began to disappear from the Greek language.
alphabet the sound wau represented began to disappear from the Greek language.

in the majority of Greek dialects, the sound /w/ vanished without a trace.
in the majority of Greek dialects, the sound /w/ vanished without a trace.

from “wau” to “au”.
from “wau” to “au”.

although wau was no longer used in writing, it wasn’t forgotten.
although wau was no longer used in writing, it wasn’t forgotten.

the Greek alphabet was also used as a numbering system.
the Greek alphabet was also used as a numbering system.

wau, being the sixth letter of the alphabet, represented the number six.
wau, being the sixth letter of the alphabet, represented the number six.

this use of wau remained, but it was given a new name reflecting its shape: “digamma”,
this use of wau remained, but it was given a new name reflecting its shape: “digamma”,

“double g”.
“double g”.

over time, digamma began to change its form, becoming less angular, more curvy. this new
over time, digamma began to change its form, becoming less angular, more curvy. this new

shape no longer resembled the double gamma it was named after, and so this letter with
shape no longer resembled the double gamma it was named after, and so this letter with

no sound, separated from its alphabet, was completely stigmatized.
no sound, separated from its alphabet, was completely stigmatized.

however, this happened in the seventh century BC, and wau was still fully intact when the
however, this happened in the seventh century BC, and wau was still fully intact when the

Greeks taught the Etruscans how to write.
Greeks taught the Etruscans how to write.

less than a century after Cadmus adapted the Phoenician alphabet to be able to write Greek,
less than a century after Cadmus adapted the Phoenician alphabet to be able to write Greek,

it spread throughout the Greek colonies, making its way to Italy, which at the time was home
it spread throughout the Greek colonies, making its way to Italy, which at the time was home

to the Etruscans.
to the Etruscans.

the Etruscans spoke a language with no modern relatives.
the Etruscans spoke a language with no modern relatives.

I don’t know if they told legends about the day they were introduced to the miracle
I don’t know if they told legends about the day they were introduced to the miracle

of written word, but these early adopters of the Greek alphabet seemed to want to use
of written word, but these early adopters of the Greek alphabet seemed to want to use

it to write their language as closely as possible to the way their Greek speaking neighbors
it to write their language as closely as possible to the way their Greek speaking neighbors

wrote theirs.
wrote theirs.

at first, the two alphabets were indeed one and the same, but as the Greek alphabet changed
at first, the two alphabets were indeed one and the same, but as the Greek alphabet changed

over time, the Etruscan alphabet didn’t change with it, causing the two to slowly
over time, the Etruscan alphabet didn’t change with it, causing the two to slowly

diverge. this left it looking like an older version of the Greek alphabet, which is essentially
diverge. this left it looking like an older version of the Greek alphabet, which is essentially

what it was.
what it was.

there were some major differences between the phonologies of Greek and Etruscan, but
there were some major differences between the phonologies of Greek and Etruscan, but

most of these were simply sounds present in Greek that weren’t present in Etruscan.
most of these were simply sounds present in Greek that weren’t present in Etruscan.

these letters were simply not used, and eventually were dropped from the alphabet.
these letters were simply not used, and eventually were dropped from the alphabet.

there was only one case of the inverse, a sound in Etruscan that wasn’t in Greek:
there was only one case of the inverse, a sound in Etruscan that wasn’t in Greek:

/f/. at the time, the Greek alphabet had no way of writing this sound, and so Etruscan
/f/. at the time, the Greek alphabet had no way of writing this sound, and so Etruscan

scribes had to come up with some way of representing it.
scribes had to come up with some way of representing it.

their solution was not to create a new letter, but to put existing letters in an order that
their solution was not to create a new letter, but to put existing letters in an order that

suggests the right sound.
suggests the right sound.

/f/ is a breathy sort of sound made with the lips, so perhaps it can be written with this
/f/ is a breathy sort of sound made with the lips, so perhaps it can be written with this

letter which makes a lippy sort of sound, /w/, followed by this letter which makes a
letter which makes a lippy sort of sound, /w/, followed by this letter which makes a

breathy sort of sound, /h/.
breathy sort of sound, /h/.

these two letters together, /w/ followed by /h/, could then be read as the sound /f/.
these two letters together, /w/ followed by /h/, could then be read as the sound /f/.

eventually, this digraph was replaced with a new single letter.
eventually, this digraph was replaced with a new single letter.

however, that was centuries later, and /f/ was still written with a digraph when the
however, that was centuries later, and /f/ was still written with a digraph when the

Etruscan alphabet was Italicized.
Etruscan alphabet was Italicized.

the alphabet spread throughout the Italian peninsula, and began to be used for writing
the alphabet spread throughout the Italian peninsula, and began to be used for writing

the Italic languages spoken in the region.
the Italic languages spoken in the region.

one particular Italic tribe, the Latins, spoke a language that ended up being rather historically
one particular Italic tribe, the Latins, spoke a language that ended up being rather historically

significant.
significant.

the Latin scribes who adapted the Etruscan alphabet for their language, participating
the Latin scribes who adapted the Etruscan alphabet for their language, participating

in a centuries old tradition, found some letters to be unnecessary and dropped them from the
in a centuries old tradition, found some letters to be unnecessary and dropped them from the

alphabet, and it seemed like our good old friend wau was going to be one of these.
alphabet, and it seemed like our good old friend wau was going to be one of these.

why is there a letter for /w/ separate from /u/, they reasoned, when /j/ and /i/ are written
why is there a letter for /w/ separate from /u/, they reasoned, when /j/ and /i/ are written

the same way?
the same way?

however, there was more to it.
however, there was more to it.

after all, wau was used in that digraph necessary to write /f/! so then, if wau is only necessary
after all, wau was used in that digraph necessary to write /f/! so then, if wau is only necessary

as part of this digraph, why not have it stand for the sound /f/ on its own? and so “wau”
as part of this digraph, why not have it stand for the sound /f/ on its own? and so “wau”

became “ef”, and upsilon, which at this point still had its simpler name “u”,
became “ef”, and upsilon, which at this point still had its simpler name “u”,

once again could stand for both /w/ and /u/.
once again could stand for both /w/ and /u/.

and then the shape of this u, (or, using its English name, “yu”) for the first time
and then the shape of this u, (or, using its English name, “yu”) for the first time

since making its way into Europe, simplified.
since making its way into Europe, simplified.

its stem was removed, turning it into a simple angle.
its stem was removed, turning it into a simple angle.

meanwhile, something was happening to Greek vowels, a sound shift known as “iotacism”,
meanwhile, something was happening to Greek vowels, a sound shift known as “iotacism”,

or “oops! all /i/”, where a bunch of different vowels all started to be pronounced like /i/.
or “oops! all /i/”, where a bunch of different vowels all started to be pronounced like /i/.

upsilon was one of these vowels affected, changing from /u/ to /y/, and, eventually,
upsilon was one of these vowels affected, changing from /u/ to /y/, and, eventually,

to /i/.
to /i/.

in the first century BC, Greece became part of Rome, and it became necessary to use the
in the first century BC, Greece became part of Rome, and it became necessary to use the

Latin alphabet to write Greek, and those extra letters abandoned centuries ago suddenly didn’t
Latin alphabet to write Greek, and those extra letters abandoned centuries ago suddenly didn’t

seem so unnecessary.
seem so unnecessary.

two new letters were added to the end of the Latin alphabet specifically to write Greek
two new letters were added to the end of the Latin alphabet specifically to write Greek

words.
words.

at the very end was the Greek letter zeta, a voiced sibilant, and right before it was
at the very end was the Greek letter zeta, a voiced sibilant, and right before it was

the letter upsilon, which, one, still wasn’t actually called upsilon yet; two, no longer
the letter upsilon, which, one, still wasn’t actually called upsilon yet; two, no longer

sounded enough like /u/ to be written with the Latin letter u; and three, still hadn’t
sounded enough like /u/ to be written with the Latin letter u; and three, still hadn’t

fully iotacized into /i/.
fully iotacized into /i/.

this strange Greek vowel was given the name “ī Graeca”, “Greek i”, and it brought
this strange Greek vowel was given the name “ī Graeca”, “Greek i”, and it brought

the total number of letters in the Latin alphabet descended from wāw up to three.
the total number of letters in the Latin alphabet descended from wāw up to three.

so that’s why [beat]
so that’s why [beat]

a couple centuries later, the sound /w/ in Latin turned into [β], making the two different
a couple centuries later, the sound /w/ in Latin turned into [β], making the two different

pronunciations of u more noticeably different.
pronunciations of u more noticeably different.

/u/ as a vowel, /β/ as a consonant.
/u/ as a vowel, /β/ as a consonant.

this was fine, however, because it was predictable which pronunciation was used based on context
this was fine, however, because it was predictable which pronunciation was used based on context

alone.
alone.

so that was the state of the Latin alphabet when it was first used to write Old High German
so that was the state of the Latin alphabet when it was first used to write Old High German

and Old English.
and Old English.

Germanic languages had been written using their own runic alphabet for centuries.
Germanic languages had been written using their own runic alphabet for centuries.

these runes had their own history which I’m just not going to even bother with because
these runes had their own history which I’m just not going to even bother with because

only one rune actually matters to this story, and as far as I can tell it wasn’t based
only one rune actually matters to this story, and as far as I can tell it wasn’t based

on anything that came before it.
on anything that came before it.

this is the letter “wynn”, and like many other letters that we’ve looked at, it represents
this is the letter “wynn”, and like many other letters that we’ve looked at, it represents

the sound /w/. when the Latin alphabet was first used for writing Germanic languages,
the sound /w/. when the Latin alphabet was first used for writing Germanic languages,

including Old High German and Old English, dealing with wynn was a problem.
including Old High German and Old English, dealing with wynn was a problem.

the Latin letter u could be used as the equivalent of the rune “ur”, which similarly represented
the Latin letter u could be used as the equivalent of the rune “ur”, which similarly represented

the vowel /u/. this vowel sound, as we’ve seen, is basically the same thing as the consonant
the vowel /u/. this vowel sound, as we’ve seen, is basically the same thing as the consonant

/w/, so it might make sense to use it as a consonant for wynn. however, this didn’t
/w/, so it might make sense to use it as a consonant for wynn. however, this didn’t

work, because it was clearly established by then that the letter u as a consonant represented
work, because it was clearly established by then that the letter u as a consonant represented

the sound /β/.
the sound /β/.

there needed to be some other way of differentiating wynn from ur in the Latin script, and the
there needed to be some other way of differentiating wynn from ur in the Latin script, and the

solution scribes came up with was, well, it was fine.
solution scribes came up with was, well, it was fine.

it worked okay.
it worked okay.

why not, they gathered, just put two u’s together and call it a day? and that’s exactly
why not, they gathered, just put two u’s together and call it a day? and that’s exactly

what they did.
what they did.

and that, after millennia of history, is where “double u” is from.
and that, after millennia of history, is where “double u” is from.

but this isn’t the end of the story.
but this isn’t the end of the story.

in the Middle Ages, scribes began to write double u with their branches crossing, making
in the Middle Ages, scribes began to write double u with their branches crossing, making

it look more like a single letter.
it look more like a single letter.

around the same time, it became conventional to write the letter u in two distinct ways.
around the same time, it became conventional to write the letter u in two distinct ways.

the pointier u was used only at the beginnings of words, but elsewhere it became more rounded.
the pointier u was used only at the beginnings of words, but elsewhere it became more rounded.

don’t be confused, however: these are still, in fact, the same letter.
don’t be confused, however: these are still, in fact, the same letter.

however, in general, u at the beginnings of words was more likely to be a consonant, which
however, in general, u at the beginnings of words was more likely to be a consonant, which

eventually led to a new convention, using the pointier u for a consonant and the rounder
eventually led to a new convention, using the pointier u for a consonant and the rounder

u as a vowel.
u as a vowel.

it took a very long time for this to turn into a fully recognized separate letter, by
it took a very long time for this to turn into a fully recognized separate letter, by

which I mean it took until literally the seventeenth century.
which I mean it took until literally the seventeenth century.

before then, people were just like using this one letter for two separate things and it
before then, people were just like using this one letter for two separate things and it

has a different shape depending on what thing it’s being used for but it’s still totally
has a different shape depending on what thing it’s being used for but it’s still totally

one letter and not two different letters you guys!
one letter and not two different letters you guys!

knowing this, I’m sure you’ll agree that it was only natural to continue to call this
knowing this, I’m sure you’ll agree that it was only natural to continue to call this

digraph “double u” when it was first recognized as a separate letter and not just a pair of
digraph “double u” when it was first recognized as a separate letter and not just a pair of

u’s. after all, “v” was still simply a varient of u, nothing more.
u’s. after all, “v” was still simply a varient of u, nothing more.

and that, finally, is where the Latin alphabet stands today, with five distinct letters with
and that, finally, is where the Latin alphabet stands today, with five distinct letters with

one common origin.
one common origin.

f, y, u, v, and w, all directly descended from a bird that looked like a lollypop.
f, y, u, v, and w, all directly descended from a bird that looked like a lollypop.

since its inception, w has been used for its intended purpose, to represent the sound /w/.
since its inception, w has been used for its intended purpose, to represent the sound /w/.

and, in English at least, that is still its main use.
and, in English at least, that is still its main use.

however, like most other letters of the Latin alphabet, it’s used differently in other
however, like most other letters of the Latin alphabet, it’s used differently in other

languages.
languages.

most amazingy is its use in the language w was first designed for, High German.
most amazingy is its use in the language w was first designed for, High German.

not long after the Latin alphabet was first adapted for it, history repeated itself, and
not long after the Latin alphabet was first adapted for it, history repeated itself, and

a sound shift turned /w/ into [v], the value it has in Modern German to this day.
a sound shift turned /w/ into [v], the value it has in Modern German to this day.

what this means is that if High German had held onto its runic alphabet for just a few
what this means is that if High German had held onto its runic alphabet for just a few

more generations before adapting the Latin alphabet, the letter w wouldn’t have needed
more generations before adapting the Latin alphabet, the letter w wouldn’t have needed

to be invented in the first place!
to be invented in the first place!

this Germanic use of w has made its way into other languages that do not have this same
this Germanic use of w has made its way into other languages that do not have this same

history, including Polish.
history, including Polish.

other languages, such as Welsh, use it as a vowel rather than as a consonant, which,
other languages, such as Welsh, use it as a vowel rather than as a consonant, which,

if you think of it as literally being a double u, makes perfect sense.
if you think of it as literally being a double u, makes perfect sense.

the Polynesian language Māori, spoken in New Zealand, uses the letter w quite typically
the Polynesian language Māori, spoken in New Zealand, uses the letter w quite typically

for the consonant /w/, but additionally, almost poetically when you think about it, also uses
for the consonant /w/, but additionally, almost poetically when you think about it, also uses

it as part of the digraph for writing the consonant /ɸ/, exactly like the Etruscans
it as part of the digraph for writing the consonant /ɸ/, exactly like the Etruscans

did over a thousand years before.
did over a thousand years before.

the most interesting uses of w, however, come from languages that aren’t written with
the most interesting uses of w, however, come from languages that aren’t written with

alphabets to begin with.
alphabets to begin with.

the Cherokee syllabary, created for the North American language Cherokee in the 1810s, was
the Cherokee syllabary, created for the North American language Cherokee in the 1810s, was

based aesthetically, but not functionally, on the Latin alphabet.
based aesthetically, but not functionally, on the Latin alphabet.

its creator, Sequoyah, was completely unfamiliar with how the Latin alphabet worked, but incredibly
its creator, Sequoyah, was completely unfamiliar with how the Latin alphabet worked, but incredibly

still had a go trying to copy it for his own language anyway.
still had a go trying to copy it for his own language anyway.

the result is one of the very few examples in history of a writing system made completely
the result is one of the very few examples in history of a writing system made completely

“from scratch”, invented by an otherwise illiterate person.
“from scratch”, invented by an otherwise illiterate person.

two Cherokee syllables had their shapes based on the letter w, “la” and “ta”.
two Cherokee syllables had their shapes based on the letter w, “la” and “ta”.

in Japanese, the letter w has two meanings outside of its basic use as a letter.
in Japanese, the letter w has two meanings outside of its basic use as a letter.

one, based on its name, is for the English word “double”, or “daburu”. this sounds
one, based on its name, is for the English word “double”, or “daburu”. this sounds

close enough to “daburyū” for it to make sense as a convenient shortening of the three
close enough to “daburyū” for it to make sense as a convenient shortening of the three

characters that would otherwise be necessary.
characters that would otherwise be necessary.

the other use of w in Japanese is short for the word for “laugh”, “warai”, and
the other use of w in Japanese is short for the word for “laugh”, “warai”, and

it’s basically the Japanese equivalent of “lol”.
it’s basically the Japanese equivalent of “lol”.

the history of writing is full of stories, and the story of w is my favorite.
the history of writing is full of stories, and the story of w is my favorite.

spanning half a dozen languages across four thousand years, w certainly has come a long
spanning half a dozen languages across four thousand years, w certainly has come a long

way.
way.

thanks for watching.
thanks for watching.

I’ve been jan Misali, and w
I’ve been jan Misali, and w