A Night in the MVSEVM

A Night in the MVSEVM A Night in the MVSEVM A Night in the MVSEVM By Maeve Maddox A reader, noticing the way the word museum is engraved on some statues and entrances, writes: I am wondering why the word Museum is spelled Mvsevm . . . on many older things like statues. Until the twentieth century, classical Latin was an indispensable part of the school curriculum. Anyone who had been to school beyond the age of seven had at least a smattering. What are now called elementary schools or grade schools were once known as grammar schools. When the term grammar school originated, the grammar meant was Latin grammar. Because Latin was regarded as being much classier than English, it was often used to commemorate special occasions. For example, Latin was the language of choice on diplomas, ceremonial proclamations and stone inscriptions on statues, tombs, and museum entrances. The classical Latin alphabet did not contain the letters J, W or U: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V X Y Z It did not have what we call lowercase letters either. Latin inscriptions, therefore, were written in all capital letters. The letter V stood for both the vowel sound we represent with the letter U and the consonant sound we represent with the letter W. During the second century CE the rounded U form of the V appeared in Latin writing. A carved inscription that substitutes a V where English would use a U is supposed to look like classical Latin. Hence the capitals and the Vs for Us. Besides, Id guess that its much easier to make a V with a chisel than a U. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:English Grammar 101: All You Need to KnowThe Writing ProcessHow Many Sentences in a Paragraph?