'em
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Appendix:Variations of "em"
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Earlier hem, from Old English him, heom, originally a dative plural form but in Middle English coming to serve as an accusative plural as well.
Pronunciation [edit]
Pronoun [edit]
'em
- (now colloquial) Them (typically after a preposition, or otherwise with accusative or dative force; now only in unstressed position).
- 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XVI:
- ‘Lette hem be,’ seyde Sir Gawayne, ‘for they foure have no peerys.’
- 1602, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night:
- Some are become great, some atcheeues greatnesse, and some haue greatnesse thrust vppon em.
- 2010, John Baron, The Guardian, 3 Dec 2010:
- We've literally had dozens of your photographs submitted this week - keep ’em coming!
- 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XVI:
