The word "cussed" is spelled with the double "s" to indicate the pronunciation of the "u" vowel sound as a short "uh" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "cussed" is /kʌst/ which represents the sound of the "u" vowel sound as an unrounded, mid-central vowel. This spelling helps distinguish it from the alternate spelling "cursèd" which indicates the "u" sound as a long "oo" sound. "Cussed" is most commonly used to describe someone who is ill-tempered or stubborn.
Cussed is an adjective that is used to describe a person or thing that is stubborn, difficult, or irritatingly contrary. It is typically employed to emphasize negative traits or behavior. This term is derived from the word "curse," and it carries connotations of annoyance, vexation, or sheer pigheadedness.
A cussed individual is one who displays a persistent determination to stick to their own viewpoints or desires, regardless of the opinions or expectations of others. This person may exhibit a particularly obstinate or unreasonable attitude, defying logic or reason. They might resist any attempts at persuasion or compromise, making interactions difficult or exasperating.
Moreover, cussed may also refer to an object or occurrence that is frustratingly uncooperative or troublesome. For instance, a cussed piece of machinery may repeatedly malfunction or refuse to operate as intended, causing annoyance and hindrance.
In summary, cussed is an adjective that characterizes people or things that are unyielding, annoying, or contrary. It suggests a stubborn and irritating nature, often described as if the person or object has been cursed.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cussed" is believed to have originated from the Middle English term "cusse", which meant "to curse" or "to blaspheme". It is derived from the Old French word "curteis" (courteous), which also had the meaning of "well-mannered" or "polite". Over time, the word "cusse" began to take on a negative connotation, referring to someone or something that was contrary or stubborn, often associated with unpleasant behavior or cursing. The spelling of the word evolved, and by the 18th century, it had become "cussed". It is mainly used in American English and is often employed to describe something or someone that is extremely difficult, annoying, or wicked.