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/, /læːf/, /laːf/;
  • o, /ɪ/ as in women, /ˈwɪmɪn/, /ˈwɪmən/; and
  • ti, /ʃ/ as in nation, /ˈneɪʃən/.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /fɪʃ/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Homophone: fish
  • Rhymes: -ɪʃ

Noun

ghoti (plural ghoti)

  1. (rare, humorous) A constructed word said to be an alternative spelling of fish.
    • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:ghoti.

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

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