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.

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.