Origin & Evolution of Languages

[Steve Gustafson]

JoatSimeon writes:

> -- there were in English in the 17th century as well.  "Thee" corresponded
> exactly with French "tu" or German "du" -- it was used to intimates,
> social inferiors, and children.  "You" was used to superiors; it was the
> formal/deferential mode.  Parents used "thee" to children, for example,
> and children used "you" to their parents.

Curious, how this got turned almost exactly on its head.  To the extent that
"thou" is still understood, it is a form of address restricted to Exalted
Personages, like God, or Richard III, or the Mighty Thor.

--
L'an mil neuf sens nonante neuf sept mois
Du ciel viendra grand Roy deffraieur
Resusciter le grand Roy d'Angolmois
Avant apres Mars regner par bonheur.
                                --- M. de Notre-Dame