you

The word "you" originates from Old English "ēow," the dative and accusative form of "ġē," which was the plural form of "thou." In Proto-Germanic, it is derived from "iwwiz" or "īwiz," which also gave rise to similar forms in other Germanic languages, such as Old Saxon "iu," Old High German "iu," and Gothic "izwis." The Proto-Indo-European root "*yu-" is the source of these forms, indicating a second-person plural pronoun.

During the Middle English period, "you" began to be used as a singular pronoun, a shift influenced by the French "vous," which was used as both a formal singular and a plural pronoun. This usage reflected social hierarchies and politeness, gradually replacing "thou" in many contexts. By the Early Modern English period, "you" had become the standard pronoun for both singular and plural second-person references in most dialects. The transition was largely complete by the 17th century, with "thou" becoming archaic in most English dialects. The evolution of "you" reflects broader changes in English pronoun usage, influenced by social, cultural, and linguistic factors.