Knick knack paddy whack

Knife, knit, knot, knack.  Gnome, gnat, gnarl , gnash.  Write, wreath, wring, wrought.  Oh so many letters that used to have a sense of purpose to their day. They were once pronounced right along with the rest of their companions but time has erased them from our speech. Not from our spelling though. There they have been preserved like strangers in a photo album.