The spelling of the word "coits" may seem confusing at first glance, but with the help of phonetic transcription it becomes clear. The word is pronounced /koits/, with a long "o" sound and a voiceless "t" at the end. The origin of the word comes from the game of quoits, which is played by throwing rings onto a peg. Over time, the spelling has evolved to its current form. Despite its unusual spelling, "coits" still remains a recognized word in some regions where the game is played.
The word "coits" seems to refer to the game known as "quoits", so we will explore the origins of that term.
The word "quoits" comes from the Latin word "coiter", which means a disc or ring. It is believed that the game itself was practiced by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used circular objects—likely made of metal—as targets to throw or pitch at. Over time, the game spread to other regions and evolved.
The etymology of "quoits" subsequently underwent some changes. In Middle English, it was spelled as "coite" or "cote". Eventually, this evolved into the modern spelling "quoits", reflecting the pronunciation and usage of the game.
The term "coits" could be an alternative spelling or variation of "quoits".