The Etymology of 許

Why does 許 seem to combine “to speak” or “word” (言) and “noon” (午)? Henshall says that 午 here doesn’t mean “noon.” Rather, it acts phonetically to express “approve” and “forgive.” That makes sense: 許 is about approving or forgiving someone’s words.

Oddly, this kanji can also mean “place, home.” The origin of that development is less clear, but 許 (KYO) may have been a phonetic alternative to 居 (KYO, i(ru): to reside).

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