Origin:
* Old English: Wednesday was originally called "Wōdnesdæg," meaning "Woden's day," after the Norse god Odin.
* Middle English: This evolved into "Wednesdei," still reflecting the god's name.
The Shift:
* Great Vowel Shift: This major linguistic change, occurring between the 14th and 18th centuries, affected how vowels were pronounced in English.
* Sound Change: The "e" sound in "Wednesdei" shifted towards the "ay" sound we hear today.
The "W" Sound:
* Metathesis: This is a linguistic phenomenon where sounds switch positions. In "Wednesdei," the "w" sound got moved closer to the beginning of the word, resulting in "Wenzday."
Modern Pronunciation:
* Standard English: The pronunciation "Wenzday" became the standard, although the original spelling "Wednesday" remained.
In short, the pronunciation "Wenzday" is a combination of the Great Vowel Shift and metathesis, reflecting how language evolves and sounds change over time.