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Isle of Wight

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SteveD | 16:59 Wed 01st Mar 2006 | Phrases & Sayings
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Why the Isle of Wight? What is "Wight"?
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Its Latin name was Vectis and 'v' was sometimes pronounced 'w' in that language. Eventually it transferred into English as 'Wiht' originally, from where it became 'Wight.
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But why is it never called "Wight"? (or is it and nobody told me?)
What can I say? 'Wight' is an anglicised version of 'Vectis' pronounced 'Wectis' and shortened by having the ending removed. The 'Isle of Dogs' is never called just 'Dogs' as far as I know either!
I believe a "wight" was a mythical monster, eventually banished to an isle south of hampshire. Hence Isle of Wight.
Nope, I am wrong! It simply means 'raised' or 'uplifted'.
The Isle of Man is similar - it's never known just as Man. It's just a language thing - some islands were called by non-island/isle names (like Trinidad) and others were tagged with Isle of, or Island (you must remember Fantasy Island?).

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