obsolete plural noun form of "egg."

Eyren was the Old English word for "eggs," while egges came from the Norse. During the Middle Ages, "egges" was the form used in the heavily Norse-influenced northern England, while "eyren" was the form used throughout the Saxon south.

However, during the Middle English period waves of immigrants from the north to the south caused "egges" to replace "eyren" throughout most of England, although "eyren" remained in use in south-eastern England until well into the Early Modern period.

A famous story tells of some travelers from London who visit the south, and ask their host for some "egges." The confused host, having never heard of the word, apologizes, explaining that he never learned French!

Ey"ren (?), n. pl.

See Ey, an egg.

 

© Webster 1913.

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