Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who writes:
I’ve subscribed to this channel for some time. This video, which dropped the other day, will be of relevance to both SWLs and HAMS:
Rob does some deep dives into language. Including the surprising origins of many words in English and the lingering influence of both Anglo Saxon and Norman French.
Cheers
Fred
This is a brilliant video. Thank you, Fred!

Thanks for the link! In flight school back in the 1980s, I had a 60-year old professor who was stuck on the ABLE-BAKER-CHARLIE version from his US Army days. I had never heard that version before. Meanwhile, my local police department is using the ADAM-BOY-CHARLES version, with lots of first names in it.
Well researched, good graphics, logical explanation
Good One
The NATO alphabet seems so simple, yet so much went into it. Amazing story, thanks for posting the video.
When I was in the Air Force, we were drilled into the NATO phonetic alphabet. When I took my Amateur Radio Test, I was glad that is how I learned what I needed. Let’s leave 70 years of performance alone.
There used to be an AMer, W2OY. whose “catch phrase” was “no kids, no lids…” That was quite unfriendly. He would also apparently fly into a rage if someone DARED use non-Nato phonetics. Dude — you were not in NATO, ok? I will happily say RADIO instead of ROMEO when giving my call. Just in memory of W2OY. Bill N2CQR, That’s Charie, Quebec, RADIO!