Although I don’t usually talk about medieval times, Monday’s posts are called Medieval Mondays, because I like alliteration. In these posts, I look at the history of the English language.
… Okay, don’t worry guys; my neer is just fine.
Hands up who knows what a neer is?
*Cue tumbleweed*
Neer used to be a Scots word for kidney. I say “used to be” because I know no-one who still uses it, but apparently it’s still alive in certain areas of the country.
What I find interesting about historical linguistics (maybe because it’s more closely related to sociolinguistics) is why some forms die out, while others survive.
Take a look at this chart:
| Referent: |  |
 |
| English English: |
Kidney |
Ear |
| Scottish English: |
Neer |
Lug |
The same referent (i.e. the picture) existed in different forms in English English and Scottish English. Today, lug is still used commonly, whereas, like I said, neer has neerly (get it?) died out.
What happened was that when, after a period of separation, Scottish English and English English were in contact once more, people had conversations like this:
“I’ve got a neer infection…”
“Really? Can you hear okay?”
An ear and a neer sound… well, pretty much identical. It was a case of this town ‘aint big enough for the both of us.
When this happens, it’s the more popular word that wins. Communication is the primary aim of language, and so the most-widely used form will always win.
Lug however, sounds like no other words which might be used in the same context. As a result, lug is still alive and well.
Anglophonism 
English is such a rich, complex language! I so enjoy reading your posts – thank you for sharing.
Kidney is “niere” in both Latvian and German, and pronounced pretty much the same as neer. Yes, the Germans did bring all of the educated words to Latvia during the crusades :)
Hi Imants :)
I’m guessing the origins of neer must be Germanic (like a lot of Scottish words.)
I’m also guessing it’s nothing like “ear”?
Yep, must be. And the word for ear is “auss” in Latvian, and “Ohr” in German, so nothing in common.
I knew what you meant right away. Nephritis is inflammation of the Kidney. Nephros is the Greek word for Kidney.
Also, in Pennsylvania Dutch, which my Great Grandfather spoke, the word for Kidney is ‘neera’.
Wow, so people with a knowledge of non-English words would know what “neer” meant, while others wouldn’t – despite it being used in an English speaking country!
Perhaps said infection was just ‘near’ and you misheard with your lug ‘oles?
Similar to the German version Imants Latkovskis mentioned, “nier” is the Dutch word for kidney. Ear is “oor” (pronounced like “ore”), by the way.
Wow~ this is highly interesting! It’s interesting to see how the word, “neer” has evolved into what it is today. And thanks for providing the chart. I find it rather amusing that the ear and kidney look alike. Or was that your intention?
It wasn’t my intention initially, but I swapped the ear picture after a noticed they could look similar.