Ghoti: The Game

You know that word, don’t you? Ghoti? It’s a word construction (does it even have a proper term?) used to highlight, and to some degree hyperbolize, the irregularities of the English language. It’s pronounced “Fish.” For those unfamiliar, it is constructed like so:

  • The “F” sound from the end of “enough
  • The “I” sound from the first syllable of “women”
  • The “SH” sound from the middle of “nation”

The rules are simple: Using language irregularities such as exemplified above, figure out what word the previous poster is spelling, then construct and post your own. Be as wild and creative as you want – as long as they follow the rules, if not the spirit, of the English language.

I’ll start:

Tieighche

Shake (“Ti” = “sh”, cf patient; “eigh” = “a” cf weigh; “che” = “k” as in “ache”.)
Next:

Oughced

No, it’s not:

[ol]
[li]“gh” at the beginning of a word is always pronounced like in “ghost.”[/li][li]“o” is pronounced as “i” in only one word in the language. Why choose “i” when there are many more, more common options?[/li][li]“ti” is only pronounced “sh” if immediately followed by “on.” Without that, it’s pronounced like the final sound in “spaghetti.”[/li][/ol]

Thus “ghoti” is pronounced like “goaty.”

GB Shaw wasn’t as smart as he thought he was.

Yes, I know – hence “the rules, if not the spirit” missive. However flawed the concept may be when proper rules of pronunciation are followed, we’re conveniently ignoring that in favour of playing along. Don’t be such a cheollgeoi.

It made a good example in our first-year linguistics class, though.

For kicks: Felazaffe.

Philosophy.

Mbughogn

Muffin (dumb, u, cough, women, sign). (It could have been “Mboughogn” with “ough” from “tough”)

Nobody got my first one: Oughced

Offset.

Hmm - that works. I actually meant upset. (hiccough).

Not to sound fractious, but I’d be cautious about trying to outwit GB Shaw.

ksdebcghlniwucfmtx

Okay, okay. I’m sorry for plonking this thread.

Here’s a hint:

Are you being facetious?

So are you trying to say the word is “_________”?

And there is Nuptial. (from Dictionary.com)