Re: You/thou (was Re: Old Norse)

On Sun, 18 Jun 2000, Fior Avant wrote:

>   So the ordinary way of speaking is to use "you" but
> > "thou" still exists as a less polite (perhaps even derogatory) form.
>
> THOU, as far as I know, is not used at derogatoring.
I only mention that because in many of Shakespeare's works (and I believe
other writers of the time, but I'm not sure) "thou" was used during
arguments rather than the more common "you".  It is certainly not a form
you would use with a "close friend" in these contexts.

> That's why we say THOU towards God. He is a "close friend" never YOU.
I told my bishop that once, and he wasn't pleased at all.  He insisted
that the Bible uses "thou" to show respect.  But he was the type of hold
strong opinions on things he knew nothing about.  (Tried using the Bible
to prove gravity once -- that made me laugh for days).

Marcus