Modern mussel replaces Middle English muscle; American Heritage says the current spelling was perhaps influenced by Dutch mossel.
CANONICAL RELATIONSHIP RECORD
COVERAGE LEDGER ↗EDGE / 0107alterationprobable
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mussel
a marine or freshwater bivalve mollusk
OPEN NODE 125 ↗DESCENDS FROM→
PARENT / EARLIER FORM / attestedMiddle English · Middle English · molluskmuscle
a mussel
OPEN NODE 126 ↗01
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EVERY FIELD, NOT A FAIRY TALE
The mollusk meaning remained stable while spelling separated it from anatomical muscle.
The changed spelling is post-Middle English.
American Heritage · Merriam-Webster editors
probable — Descent from Middle English muscle is secure; Dutch influence on the modern spelling is possible rather than established.
reviewed
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CITATION REGISTER
SOURCES ON THIS EDGE
Mussel — Word HistoryEtymology and First Known Use
supportsAUDIT SOURCE ↗ORIGINAL ↗Middle English muscle to modern mussel.
Mussel — Word HistoryWord History
supportsAUDIT SOURCE ↗ORIGINAL ↗Reports possible Dutch mossel influence.
Muscle and Mussel — Homophones with More Than One SyllableMuscle and mussel history
contextAUDIT SOURCE ↗ORIGINAL ↗Documents the former spelling overlap.
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EDITORIAL REUSE