Everything Everywhere Daily: Why is the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order?

Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
Release Date: March 18, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Why is the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order?" Gary Arndt delves into a question that many take for granted: the seemingly arbitrary arrangement of letters in the Alphabet. This exploration not only uncovers the historical journey of the Alphabet but also examines the persistence of its order through millennia.

Historical Evolution of the Alphabet

1. Egyptian Hieroglyphics ([02:15] Gary)
Gary begins by tracing the origins of the Latin Alphabet back to ancient Egypt around 3200 BC. He explains that Egyptian hieroglyphics were a complex system combining logographic, syllabic, and phonetic elements. For instance, a hieroglyph depicting an owl represented the "M" sound. However, this system lacked a fixed order, making it fundamentally different from modern alphabets.

2. Egyptian Hieratic Script ([07:40] Gary)
Beyond the elaborate hieroglyphics, the Egyptians developed the hieratic script—a more streamlined, cursive form used for daily administrative tasks. This script was essential for record-keeping but still did not establish an ordered sequence of symbols.

3. Proto-Sinaitic Script ([12:30] Gary)
Around 1800-1500 BC, Semitic-speaking peoples in the Sinai Peninsula began adapting Egyptian symbols into the Proto-Sinaitic script. Unlike its predecessor, this script featured approximately 22 symbols representing individual consonant sounds, marking a significant shift towards a more alphabetic system.

4. Phoenician Alphabet ([18:05] Gary)
The Phoenicians, renowned seafarers with extensive Mediterranean trade networks, further refined the script into what is now recognized as the Phoenician Alphabet by around 1050 B.C. This alphabet retained traces of Egyptian origins but streamlined the symbols into a purely phonetic system written from right to left.

5. Greek Alphabet ([23:50] Gary)
Greek settlers in southern Italy adopted the Phoenician system, introducing vowels—absent in Phoenician writing—which transformed it into the first true Alphabet. This adaptation made the script more versatile and easier to use for complex languages.

6. Etruscan Alphabet ([30:20] Gary)
The Etruscans, indigenous to the Italian peninsula, borrowed the Greek Alphabet, modifying it to fit their linguistic needs. They eliminated unnecessary Greek letters and adjusted letter shapes, eventually shifting the writing direction to left-to-right.

7. Latin Alphabet ([35:45] Gary)
Romans adopted the Etruscan Alphabet, further refining it to suit Latin phonetics. The early Latin script consisted of 21 letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, V, X. Letters like J, U, W, Y, and Z were introduced later to accommodate sounds from other languages.

8. Additions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance ([42:10] Gary)
During the Middle Ages, letters such as J, U, and W were added to distinguish sounds and enhance readability. By the Renaissance, the Alphabet had achieved its current form, with the final letters solidifying their positions.

The Order of the Alphabet

Maintenance of Order Across Cultures ([48:00] Gary)
Gary emphasizes that while the Alphabet evolved through various cultures, the sequence of letters remained remarkably consistent. "At each stage in the evolution of the Alphabet, the receiving culture generally maintained the previous ordering," he notes ([48:15]).

Absence of Original Order ([50:30] Gary)
Despite the enduring sequence, the origins of the Alphabet's order remain unclear. The Egyptian and Proto-Sinaitic scripts lacked a definitive order, and it's only with the Phoenicians that a semblance of the current arrangement began to emerge.

Mnemonic Devices and the ABC Song ([55:45] Gary)
Gary explores the role of mnemonic devices in perpetuating the Alphabet's order. He explains that the familiar ABC song, derived from an 18th-century French melody, served as an effective tool for teaching both the letters and their sequence. Although "the ABC song... makes it so much easier to recall" ([1:02:30]).

Theories Behind the Alphabet's Order

Lack of Definitive Explanation ([1:07:00] Gary)
Concluding that "we really don't know why the Alphabet is in the particular order it's in," Gary acknowledges that the sequence's origins are still a mystery ([1:07:15]). However, he highlights prevailing theories suggesting early mnemonic systems may have influenced the arrangement.

Persistence Over Millennia ([1:10:45] Gary)
Gary remarks on the remarkable endurance of the Alphabet's order, emphasizing that "the basic order has existed for over 3,000 years," a testament to its deep-rooted place in human culture ([1:10:50]).

Conclusion

The episode underscores the Alphabet's intricate history and the enigmatic persistence of its order. While the precise reasons for the sequence remain unknown, the Alphabet's evolution from ancient hieroglyphics to the modern script is a fascinating journey of cultural adaptation and continuity. Gary leaves listeners with a compelling reminder of how deeply embedded such fundamental systems are in our daily lives, often unnoticed yet profoundly influential.

Notable Quotes

• [02:15] Gary: "The earliest known hieroglyphics date back to approximately 3200 BC and there are over 700 known hieroglyphic symbols."

• [18:05] Gary: "The Phoenician Alphabet was purely phonetic. Its simplicity and efficiency made it highly adaptable."

• [48:15] Gary: "At each stage in the evolution of the Alphabet, the receiving culture generally maintained the previous ordering."

• [50:30] Gary: "There was no order to Egyptian hieroglyphics, nor to proto Sinaitic script either."

• [55:45] Gary: "The ABC song... makes it so much easier to recall."

• [1:07:15] Gary: "We really don't know why the Alphabet is in the particular order it's in."

• [1:10:50] Gary: "The basic order has existed for over 3,000 years, which in some ways is way more impressive."

Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Austin Okun and Cameron Kieffer

This comprehensive exploration by Gary Arndt not only answers the "how" of the Alphabet's order but also invites listeners to ponder the enduring legacy of seemingly simple structures in our complex world.