[85] It is a dispute among grammarians, whether the interjection is a part of speech; and the question, like many others upon similar subjects, has employed more learning than common sense. The simple truth is this; the involuntary sounds produced by a sudden passion, are the language of nature which is subject only to nature's rules. They are, in some degree, similar among all nations. They do not belong to a grammatical treatise, any more than the looks of fear, surprise or any other passion. The words, ah me! oh me! are mere exclamations, as are bless me! my gracious! and numberless other sounds, which are uttered without any precise meaning, and are not reduceable to any rules. [86] See Dr. Edwards on the Mohegan tongue. New Haven. 1788. [87] _While_ is an old Saxon noun, signifying _time_; and it is still used in the same sense, _one while_, _all this while_. _Adown_ is of uncertain origin. The Saxon _aduna_ cannot easily be explained. _Above_ is from an old word, signifying _head_. _Among_ is from the Saxon _gemengan_ to mix. The etymology of the others is obvious. [88] It has been remarked that _y_ and _g_ are gutturals which bear nearly the same affinity to each other as _b_ and _p_. Thus it happens that we find in old writings a _y_ in many words where _g_ is now used; as _ayen_, _ayenst_, for again, against. Thus _bayonet_ is pronounced _bagonet_. [89] Four hundred years ago, the purest author wrote _sen_ or _sin_ which is now deemed vulgar: "Sin thou art rightful juge, how may it be, That thou wolt soffren innocence to spill, And wicked folk to regne in prosperitee?" Chaucer, Cant. Tales. 5234. [90] _Out_ was originally a verb. So in the first line of the celebrated Chevy Chace, "The Persé _owt_ of Northombarlande, And a vow to God made he," &c. I have, in one or two instances, observed the use of it still among the lower classes of people, in this country; and I find _outed_ in some good writers, as late as Charles I. [91] Mr. Horne remarks that the French word _mais_ was formerly used in the sense of _more_, or _bot_. The English word _more_ was formerly often spelt _mo_. "Telle me anon withouten wordes _mo_." Chaucer, Prol. to Cant. Tales, 810. Is it not possible that _mo_ or _more_ and the French _mais_ may be radically the same word? The following passage will confirm the foregoing explanation of _beutan_. It is taken from the Saxon version of the Gospels.---- Luke, chap. 1. v. 74. of the original. "Hæt we _butan_ ege of ure feonda handa alysede, him theowrian." This version of the Gospels was doubtless as early as the tenth or eleventh century. In Wickliff's version, made about three centuries later, the passage stands thus: "That we _without_ drede, delyvered fro the hand of oure enemyes, serve to him." Where we find _butan_ and _without_ are synonimous.