Why is "brooch" pronounced "broach" when it's spelled "brooch"?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

It probably goes back to the etymology of the word, which comes from the Old French word "broche." Then there was the Great Vowel Shift and printing made literacy more common but spellings got stuck in Middle English and all that.

EstrellaStarr · 36-40, F

@DunningKruger I can see the French connection but why "brooch"? Where did that spelling come from?

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

@EstrellaStarr No idea. It showed up in Middle English. I'd have to do some digging to see if anyone has a reason.