Notch Gained Its N From a Misheard Article
A notch is a V-shaped cut. The word probably began as an otch, with the n of an migrating onto the noun.
A notch is a V-shaped cut in a surface or edge. The n is probably borrowed: the word likely began as *an otch*, from French *oche*, and English speakers reanalysed the boundary so the n attached to the noun. This is called *false splitting*, and it works in both directions — *an apron* was once *a napron*, and *an adder* was *a nadder*. *Top-notch* comes from a scale marked with cuts, where the highest notch is best.
- A V-shaped cut. *A notch in the wood.*
- A level or degree. *A notch above.*
- To cut. *Notch the stick.*
- Top-notch — of the highest quality. *Top-notch work.*
- False splitting — how the n moved. *False splitting.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | notch | A deep notch. |
| Plural | notches | Two notches. |
| Verb | notch | Notch it. |
| Past | notched | Notched up a win. |
| Compound | top-notch | Top-notch. |
- Cut a notch in the post.Woodwork.
- The team notched up another win.Tallying.
- An otch became a notch.Word history.
Words that swapped an n
- Notch — gained an n from *an otch*
- Nickname — from *an eke-name*, an also-name
- Newt — from *an ewt*
- Apron — lost an n, from *a napron*
- Adder — lost an n, from *a nadder*
Probably from French *oche*, a groove, with the n of the article *an* attaching to the noun.
What is false splitting?
When the boundary between an article and a noun is misheard, moving a letter. It gave English notch, newt, apron and adder.
Where does top-notch come from?
From a scale marked with cuts, where the highest notch represents the best grade.