When and why did hyphenated words such as "to-day", "good-bye", "to-morrow" and such lose their hyphens?
by 
donovan reynolds.
ANSWERS: 3
-
For literal reasons, such as pronounciation.
-
Modern English and especially American English is a constantly evolving language. The previous use of hyphens was lilely an aid to syllabication. Currently, the over-use of hyphens is a crutch for unsure spellers. Good-by or good-bye, if you prefer, are properly hyphenated in the context of expressions of farewell. They are two seperate words combined for this purpose. The expression is actually a contraction for God (assuming you believe in God) be with you. Today, on the other hand, ought not be hyphenated. Perhaps it is a remnant of Middle English? Donniegirl apparently intended "literary" instead of "literal" and "pronunciation" instead of "pronounciation."
-
I don't think they have ever been hyphenated. Today and tomorrow are most likely contractions of the day and the morrow while, as has been explained, god be with you (god be wi'ye) became goodbye. You can't lose what you never had.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC