words with "ck".

[mathman]

There are many words in English which have "ck" pronounced "k". Examples - black, block, clock, cricket, knickknack, chicken. Why is there a "c" preceding the "k" in these words?

 

[Beer w/Straw]

There are many words in English which have "ck" pronounced "k". Examples - black, block, clock, cricket, knickknack, chicken. Why is there a "c" preceding the "k" in these words?

Because spelling a word "blacc" or "blakk" would look dumb.

 

[geordief]

No expert but is it an indication /reflection of the fact that the preceding vowel is a short one?

I found this:

https://pronuncian.com/podcasts/episode107

None of those "rules" are set in stone(the "rules" evolve along with the language they try to describe)

 

[DaveC426913]

Plenty of answers here - too many to post:

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-pa...c-languages-Where-does-this-digraph-originate

 

[mathman]

Thank you - DaveC reference was very enlightening.