GHOTI = FISH

And Other Peculiarities of English Spelling

Bernard Shaw, with clever wit,
Exposed how English makes no sense a bit.
He said, "GHOTI spells 'fish,' you see,"
A linguistic joke, eternally.

From "enough" we take the **F** of "GH,"
Then "women" gives us the **I** to say.
Finally, "nation" lends **SH** to "TI,"
And GHOTI becomes "fish"—oh my!

But English quirks don’t stop at "fish,"
There’s more to add to Shaw’s sly dish.
Let’s craft more words from rules askew,
And see what else this tongue can do.

PHOUGH = FOE: the "PH" from "phone" begins,
Then "OUGH" as in "though" slips in.
Together they form a solemn foe,
A made-up word that steals the show.

THOUGHGH = TOE: "TH" from "Thomas" leads the way,
Then "OUGH" from "though" has its say.
With silent "GH," the word takes shape,
And "toe" is born—a quirky escape.

CHTI = SHY: "CH" from "chef" gives us a start,
"TI" as in "nation" plays its part.
A silent "Y" completes the deed,
And "shy" emerges—what a read!

GHYPH = FIFE: "GH" from "enough" as **F** appears,
"Y" as in "gym" lends us its cheers.
Add "PH" from "phone," the sound takes life,
And thus we create a brand-new "fife."

PSOUGH = SO: "PS" from "psychic" hides away,
"OUGH" from "though" has its say.
Together they form a quiet "so,"
A whispered sound where logic won’t go.

KNOUGH = NO: The "KN" from "knife" steps in line,
Silent yet shaping the word’s design.
Then "OUGH" becomes the letter "O,"
And "no" is crafted, just so you know.

WHOUGH = WOE: "WH" from "where" holds steady ground,
While "OUGH" gives the "O" its sound.
Together they mourn in silent woe,
A spelling trick only English could show.

Such words may boggle and confound,
With rules that twist and go around.
Yet in their quirks, we see the art,
Of language born from many a part.

Bernard Shaw, your point stands true,
English is odd, yet we muddle through.
From GHOTI to WHOUGH, the lesson is clear:
Language evolves, yet remains so dear.