* Old English: In Old English, the word was spelled "cnawan" and pronounced with a "k" sound, similar to "knaw." The "c" in Old English often represented a "k" sound.
* Middle English: Over time, the spelling changed to "knowen" and later "know," but the pronunciation remained the same. The "c" was dropped, but the "k" sound stuck around.
* Modern English: In modern English, the "k" sound is actually silent. We pronounce "know" with a "nō" sound.
Why the "k" is still there:
* History: The "k" serves as a reminder of the original pronunciation and the word's historical roots.
* Spelling: The spelling helps to distinguish "know" from words like "no" or "now."
* Etymology: It reflects the word's connection to the Old English "cnawan" and its Germanic origins.
Essentially, the "k" in "know" is a silent letter that acts as a historical placeholder. It's a bit like the "gh" in "night" or the "b" in "debt." It's there to represent the history of the word, even if we don't pronounce it anymore.