The phrase "blotted out" is spelled with a double "t" instead of "d" despite the sound being a voiced dental fricative. This can be explained through the phonetic transcription [blɑtəd aʊt], which shows the consonant cluster "tt" representing a geminate (double) stop consonant, rather than a single voiced dental fricative [d]. This spelling rule is consistent with English orthography, which generally spells words with geminate stops with a double consonant (e.g. "bigger" instead of "biger").
Blotted out is a phrase that refers to the act of removing or erasing something completely, causing it to be no longer visible, present, or remembered. The phrase is often used metaphorically to denote the eradication or obliteration of a memory, event, or existence.
In a literal sense, blotted out can be described as the action of covering or smudging a written or drawn mark by pressing a blotting paper or cloth against it, effectively absorbing or spreading the ink. This process renders the mark illegible and indiscernible, thus removing it from view or scrutiny. In this context, blotted out pertains to the act of physically eliminating a written or drawn mark.
Moreover, blotted out can also encompass the idea of figuratively erasing something from memory or existence. This could involve the act of consciously or unconsciously suppressing or forgetting a traumatic experience, making it seem as if it never happened. In a less psychological sense, blotted out can refer to deliberately obliterating the memory of certain events or individuals from public or historical records, rendering them unknown or forgotten.
The phrase blotted out is often employed to convey a sense of complete and permanent removal, leaving no remaining trace or recollection. It emphasizes the idea of wiping away or extinguishing something, making it nonexistent and irrelevant.
The etymology of the phrase "blotted out" can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent words.
1. Blot: The word "blot" originated from the Old Norse term "blauta" or "blōt", which meant "to soak" or "to make wet". It eventually evolved to refer to the act of staining or smearing a surface with a liquid substance, such as ink. "Blot" entered the English language around the 14th century.
2. Out: The word "out" is derived from the Old English term "ūt", which indicated being exterior or away from the center. Over time, it gained various meanings, including "outside", "not within", or "extinguished". "Out" has been used in English since the 9th century.