ghoti

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/.

Though frequently reported to be a coinage of George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), this term dates back to at least 1855.^[1]

• (intended)
  • IPA^(key): /fɪʃ/
  • (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /fɘʃ/

  • Audio (UK):

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  • Audio (US):

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  • Audio (General Australian):

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  • Rhymes: -ɪʃ
  • Homophones: fish, phish
• (common)
  • IPA^(key): /ˈɡoʊ.ti/

ghoti (plural ghoti or ghoties)

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

• The term is often mentioned and discussed, but very rarely used.