Isle of Wight

[SteveD]

Why the Isle of Wight? What is "Wight"?

[Quizmonster]

Its Latin name was Vectis and 'v' was sometimes pronounced 'w' in that language. Eventually it transferred into English as 'Wiht' originally, from where it became 'Wight.

[SteveD]

But why is it never called "Wight"? (or is it and nobody told me?)

[Quizmonster]

What can I say? 'Wight' is an anglicised version of 'Vectis' pronounced 'Wectis' and shortened by having the ending removed. The 'Isle of Dogs' is never called just 'Dogs' as far as I know either!

[Phil_Officer]

I believe a "wight" was a mythical monster, eventually banished to an isle south of hampshire. Hence Isle of Wight.

[Phil_Officer]

Nope, I am wrong! It simply means 'raised' or 'uplifted'.

[snook]

The Isle of Man is similar - it's never known just as Man. It's just a language thing - some islands were called by non-island/isle names (like Trinidad) and others were tagged with Isle of, or Island (you must remember Fantasy Island?).