ghoti

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

Though frequently reported to be a coinage of George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), this term dates back to at least 1855.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /fɪʃ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophone: fish

Noun

ghoti (plural ghoti)

1. (rare, humorous) Alternative spelling of fish.
   • For usage examples of this term, see the citations page.

Usage notes

A jocular spelling of fish (IPA: /fɪʃ/) used to illustrate irregularities in English spelling:

• gh, /f/ as in “laugh,” /læf, læːf, laːf/;
• o, /ɪ/ as in “women,” /ˈwɪmɪn, ˈwɪmən/; and
• ti, /ʃ/ as in “nation,” /ˈneɪʃən/.

The term is very rarely used, though it is mentioned with somewhat greater frequency than it is used.