ghoti

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 (AU)(file)
    • Homophone: fish
    • Rhymes: -ɪʃ
  • IPA(key): (often) /ˈɡoʊ.ti/

Noun

ghoti (plural ghoti)

  1. (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
  1. Ben Zimmer, "On Language", The New York Times Magazine, June 21, 2010. Available online.
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