The spelling of the phrase "am mean with" may seem confusing due to the silent letter "w" after "mea." However, the correct pronunciation of the word "mean" is actually /miːn/ (MEEn), with a long "e" sound. This is why the spelling follows the phonetic rule of using "ea" for the long "e" sound, as in "eat," "meat," and "seat." The phrase "am mean with" means to be stingy or ungenerous with something, such as money or resources.