The Curious Case of 'Hang' vs 'Hanged': Exploring the Etymology and Usage

It is a common phenomenon in the English language where words have different forms depending on their context, and hang is no exception. We have hung when referring to hanging garments or other objects, yet hanged when it comes to capital punishment or hanging a person. Why this distinction? How did this happen?

Legal Language vs General English

The roots of this distinction lie in the legal language used in criminal sentencing. In 1600s Britain, when the colonies were being formed, the term hanged was used to describe the method of killing someone by suspending them by the neck until death. This language has remained stable in legal contexts even as the rest of the English language has evolved.

Therefore, to this day, we say 'human bodies are hanged' and 'pictures and porn stars are hung' to maintain clarity. This practice is especially important in legal and formal contexts, where precision can mean the difference between justice and injustice. The phrase 'Pictures and porn stars are hung, people are hanged' is a mnemonic used by death investigators to help them remember the correct terms in their reports.

The Etymology of 'Hang'

The history of hang and its past forms can be traced back to the origins of the word. The verb hang has evolved from two forms: regular and irregular. The word's etymology can be found by searching for hang etymology on a search engine.

The term hang (used in the present tense) has two forms: hangs and hung. However, when we refer to a hanging as a specific sentence or event, we use the noun form hanged. This differentiation is crucial in legal contexts. For example, in reporting a capital offense, a death investigator would write 'He was hanged by the neck,' not 'He was hung by the neck.'

Explanation for Young Children

For young children, the concept can be simplified as follows:

When we say hung, it refers to the verb hang in the past tense, such as 'I hung out the washing yesterday.' However, 'hanged' is the noun that describes the act in the past tense, such as 'He was hanged by the neck.' In other phrases, such as 'That's a hanging offence', the term hanging functions as an adjective describing the nature of the offense.

Why 'Hung' and 'Hanged'?

The use of 'hung' and 'hanged' is a quirk of English language evolution. The regular verb hang has its past participle hung, and hanged is the past participle form used in legal contexts. It is important to note that the past tense is hung and the past participle is hanged.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the differentiation between 'hang', 'hung', and 'hanged' is a prime example of how language evolves, especially within legal and forensic contexts. Remember, English can be complex, but the rules can help maintain clarity and precision. For further clarifications on tricky words, consider referencing The Idiot's Guide to Grammar, a book recommended by many educators.