For Quizmonster

[Ward-Minter]

Here's a toughie. When was the first reported use of the infamous "they" in English speech. For example "they say MI5 killed Princess Di" or "they say the world evolved from an explosion". etc etc etc.

These "they" are not official bodies. they are not reporters, they are not even known to the narrator. Who are "they" and when did the saying catch on?

[Quizmonster]

The earliest recorded use of 'they' to mean just 'people' dates to 1415 in a piece of writing by Sir Thomas Grey. He wrote (modernised): "A man they call Skranby took me a letter."

[andy-hughes]

Lost in admiration QM - again!

[Quizmonster]

How kind, Andy, but - as I keep saying - I have wonderful resources to hand, so the credit is theirs rather than mine. Cheers

[heathfield]

Thanks, QM. For years I've puzzled over 'They do say, that ...'