Be it known 🪧📢

Meaning

This phrase is used to formally announce or declare something that people should be aware of.

Origin

This phrase hails from the formal pronouncements and legal declarations of medieval times. Imagine a king or a lord making a decree, perhaps etched onto a parchment for all to see or proclaimed aloud by a herald. The use of 'be it' is an old, somewhat archaic subjunctive form, essentially meaning 'let it be' or 'may it be'. It signals a formal intention, a wish that the following information is registered and accepted by all who hear or read it. It's a marker of serious intent, a way of engraving a statement into the public consciousness, ensuring its importance isn't overlooked.

🗣️ communication ⚖️ legal

Be it known represented with emoji🪧📢

This playful arrangement of signpost and megaphone functions as a whimsical declaration, inviting us to consider the act of making things known. It underscores the simple yet profound human desire to share information, transforming the act of announcement into a delightful visual experience.

Examples

  • Be it known that all employees are expected to arrive on time.
  • Be it known that the library will be closed for renovations next week.
  • Be it known that the royal decree has declared Friday a national holiday for extra napping.
  • Be it known that starting today, all socks must wear tiny hats to distinguish them from their stripey brethren.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Be it known' still used in modern legal documents?

While 'Be it known' is a historical legal phrase, its direct use in contemporary legal documents is rare. Modern legal drafting favors plainer language, but the underlying principle of formal declaration remains in other specific clauses.

What's the difference between 'Be it known' and 'Let it be known'?

'Be it known' is an older, more formal construction using the archaic subjunctive mood, implying a command or decree. 'Let it be known' is a more common and slightly less formal variation that carries a similar meaning of public declaration.

Can 'Be it known' be used sarcastically?

Yes, 'Be it known' can definitely be used sarcastically to humorously highlight something obvious or trivial that someone is presenting as important. The inherent formality of the phrase makes its ironic use particularly effective.

Where else might you find 'Be it known' besides historical pronouncements?

You might encounter 'Be it known' in older literature, particularly in works depicting formal councils, decrees, or even religious texts, to signify an official statement or revelation. It can also appear in modern storytelling that aims for a historical or epic tone.

Similar to "Be it known"

Let it be recorded
Both signal a formal declaration for posterity, but 'Let it be recorded' emphasizes the act of inscribing a decree into history, whereas 'Be it known' directly addresses the audience's awareness
Hear ye, hear ye
Both are public pronouncements meant to capture attention, but 'Hear ye, hear ye' is a town crier's urgent call for immediate listening, while 'Be it known' is a more measured, authoritative statement of fact
Know all men by these presents
Both are phrases of solemn declaration, but 'Know all men by these presents' carries an ancient legalistic weight, formally introducing a binding document, unlike the more general public awareness invoked by 'Be it known'

Opposite of "Be it known"

Keep it to yourself
This argues for secrecy and discretion, directly opposing 'Be it known's' imperative for widespread awareness; the tension lies in the value placed on controlled versus open information
Who asked you?
This dismisses the relevance or authority of a statement, positioning itself as an argument not just against acknowledgment, but against the very act of proclaiming something so confidently; it's the sound of public declaration being rebuffed

Related to "Be it known"

Whereas
This phrase frequently initiates the preamble of formal declarations, setting the stage for the pronouncements that follow, much like 'Be it known' serves as the announcement itself
Henceforth
Often appearing after a declaration, this word marks the beginning of the new reality or rule being announced, creating a temporal link with the act of making something known
It is decreed
This phrase shares the authoritative and declarative spirit of 'Be it known', but specifically points to an official order or command being issued by a figure of power
Take note
A more informal cousin, 'Take note' urges attention to a particular point, sharing the core intent of ensuring awareness that 'Be it known' aims for, albeit with less ceremony