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Because in Middle English the "p" was pronounced, but over time the sound was dropped as the language changed into our Modern English (ex: knight was pronounced "k-ni-cked," night "ni-GH-t", and England "En-go-lond-de").

There are also words imported into English which don't have the sound the "p" is supposed to represent native to the language, so the sound would often be dropped or adapted in some way. Ptolemy is a name whose initial sound (represented by "pt") isn't native to English, so it's simply dropped, since it's a translation from Greek.

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Q: Why do words start with a silent p?
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Related questions

What are some words with silent letter p?

Some words with a silent "p" include psychology, pneumonia, and raspberry.


What words begin with a silent p?

pneumoniapsalmpseudonympsychiatricpsychiatristpsychicpsychologyptomaineptarmiganpsychpsychepsychopsychopath


What medical terms have a silent letter?

In words starting with pt-, the p is silent (as pterygium). In words starting with PS-, also the p is silent (psycho-<whatever> or pseudo-<whatever>). In phthisis the pH is silent. I seem to be stuck on the letter "p" right now, but I am sure there are words with other silent letters.


What is the silent letter in psalm?

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Some words that start with a silent "b" include: subtle, thumb, and knob.


Why is there a p in words like pneumonia and pneumatic?

becuase they are silent


Why are PS silent?

In the word "psychology," the "P" is silent because it is derived from the Greek word "psyche." The English language borrowed this word along with its silent "P." In words like "pneumonia" or "psychiatry," the "P" is silent as well, following the same etymological pattern.


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Words that start with b but the b is silent?

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