ghoti
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See also: Ghoti
English
Etymology
Though frequently reported to be a coinage of George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), this term dates back to at least 1855.[1]
A jocular spelling of fish (/fɪʃ/) used to illustrate irregularities in English spelling:
- gh, /f/ as in laugh, /læf/, /lɑːf/;
- o, /ɪ/ as in women, /ˈwɪmɪn/; and
- ti, /ʃ/ as in nation, /ˈneɪʃən/.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): (intended) /fɪʃ/
- (New Zealand) IPA(key): (intended) /fɘʃ/
Audio (UK): (file) Audio (US): (file) Audio (General Australian): (file) - IPA(key): (often) /ˈɡoʊ.ti/
Noun
ghoti (plural ghoti)
- (nonstandard, rare, humorous) A constructed word said to be an alternative spelling of fish.
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:ghoti.
Usage notes
- The term is very rarely used, but often discussed.
References
- ^ Ben Zimmer, "On Language", The New York Times Magazine, June 21, 2010. Available online.