Question

What is the history of /h/ dropping in the English language?

Accepted Answer

It was common within Anglo-Norman circles, possibly due to their poor command of French, between the 14th and 17th centuries. It then spread through important areas and was probably a prestige feature. However, it then spread to the lower classes and rural areas and by the 18th century was stigmatised as a vulgarism.

Front	What is the history of /h/ dropping in the English language?
Back	It was common within Anglo-Norman circles, possibly due to their poor command of French, between the 14th and 17th centuries. It then spread through important areas and was probably a prestige feature. However, it then spread to the lower classes and rural areas and by the 18th century was stigmatised as a vulgarism.

Spread Areas History H Dropping English Language Common