haitch

• aitch

From earlier aitch with an initial h- restored, from Middle English ache, from Old French ache, from Vulgar Latin *acca, probably an extension of earlier ha, from an unidentified source. The restoration reflects the pronunciation of the letter name in several dialects of English. See the Wikipedia article about the letter.

• enPR: hāitch, IPA^(key): /ˈheɪt͡ʃ/
• Rhymes: -eɪtʃ

haitch (plural haitches)

1. (chiefly Ireland, Australia, Malaysia, sometimes proscribed) Alternative form of aitch.

Is often considered to be h-adding and deemed nonstandard in England, but occurs in Irish English and Australian English as part of the standard language. It is also seen in scattered varieties of Edinburgh, England, and Welsh English, especially among the younger people.

• → Irish: héis