what

The word "what" originates from the Old English "hwæt," which was used as an interrogative pronoun and adverb. This term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic "hwat," which also gave rise to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old Saxon "hwat," Old Norse "hvat," and Old High German "hwaz." These forms are derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "kwod," a neuter form of "*kwos," meaning "who" or "what." This root is also the source of the Latin "quid" and the Greek "ti," both of which serve similar interrogative functions.

The initial "hw" sound in Old English underwent a phonetic shift over time, leading to the modern pronunciation with a "w" sound. In Middle English, the spelling varied, including forms like "what," "quhat," and "hwat," reflecting regional dialects and orthographic practices. By the 15th century, the spelling "what" became standardized in English. The evolution of "what" reflects broader changes in English phonology and orthography, as well as the influence of Norman French and Latin on the English language following the Norman Conquest. Today, "what" remains a fundamental interrogative word in English, used to ask questions about identity, nature, or value.