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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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ye olde
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This archaic phrase, often seen on mock-Tudor tea shops or inns, is correctly written; but 'ye' merely spells 'the'. In medieval manuscripts and early printed books there was a letter known as the thorn (deriving from *runes) which stood for 'th'. In its written form it became almost indistinguishable from 'y' and so printers often used the same letter.
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