About The King’s English
In 2011 there were many celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
This blog was just one attempt to raise awareness about the impact of this translation on the English speaking world. Throughout 2011 I blogged on a phrase each day that has passed into common parlance: popular phrases like “labour of love”, “beast of burden”, “wits’ end” and “scapegoat”; but also phrases that should be more popular, like “filthy lucre” and “gird up thy loins”.
Here’s an approximate list of the phrases I covered. I am reposting each entry throughout 2012.
Others are much better placed to tell you the history of the translation (see these videos for instance). And others can tell you about the modern usage and adaptation of these phrases (see for example Begat by David Crystal).
I’m just a church minister who wants to give some insights into their biblical origins and, along the way, to give a thumbnail sketch of the bible’s story.
This is a blog for people of all beliefs and I’ll try to keep things as jargon-free as possible. I hope that whether you are a Christian or not you will understand more about the English we speak, and about the King who has shaped it.
You can also purchase paper and Kindle copies of my devotionals
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G’day Glen.
Were the phrases you have selected unique to the KJV, or were some of them taken over from Wyclif and Tyndale?
Hi David, no they’re not at all unique to the King James. And in fact some (like carnal knowledge) aren’t even in the King James! I’m using a very broad ‘net’ to catch any and every biblical term that may have passed into common parlance. But mainly those that have been popularised by the AV.
I’m enjoying the thought provoking writings on words that I thought were too obscure to matter anymore. My prejudices are crumbling and I might even treat myself to an anniversary copy of the KJV!
thank you.
Thanks Ruth. Linguists reckon we’ve inherited twice as much from the King James than from Shakespeare. Not to mention the whole view of reality behind them. Glad to have won you over a little :)
[...] Glen Scrivener’s blog is just one attempt to raise awareness about the impact of this translation on the English speaking world. Throughout 2011 he will blog on a phrase each day that has passed into common parlance: popular phrases like “labour of love”, “beast of burden”, “wits’ end” and “scapegoat”; but also phrases that should be more popular, like “filthy lucre” and “gird up thy loins”. Check it out! [...]
I glad you are drawing attention to the AV 1611. I believe it to be the very words of God without error to the English speaking people. It is the 7th purification [Psa.12:6-8] in which Scriptures were purified. [Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Syriac, Latin, German and English]It was also the 7th purification of the English versions. [Tyndale, Wycliff, Coverdale, the Great Bible, Bishops, Geneva, King James]. You might not hold any significance to that – but I do.
Thank you for drawing attention to a subject of which you are possibily total unaware. God’s preservation of His inspired words.
I suppose if an intermediate version turned up it would become the 8th, and you fairly daft scheme would fall to pieces.
Better to read in this instance, than to count.
Whoa Glen, I just found this blog and am disappointed I have not been around since January! What I’ve read so far has been edifying and even thrilling at times. Thank you so much for the work, brother!
–Jason
A VERITABLE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE!
Thank you so much Glen. Awesome work and very much appreciated!!
Thanks Gav,
And thanks Jaiye-ola and Jason – sorry to be so *very* late in responding to your kind messages!!