Pronunciation: [dˈɒɡ ˈi͡əz] (IPA) 
The spelling of "dog ears" is made up of two phonetic sounds. The first sound is represented by the letter "d" and is pronounced as /dɒɡ/. The second sound is represented by the letters "ear" and is pronounced as /ɪrz/. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of "dog ears" is /dɒɡ ɪrz/. This term refers to the floppy ears of dogs, which are common in many breeds and are often a characteristic feature of their appearance.
Dog ears refers to the folded corners or edges of a book or document, resembling the triangular shape of a dog's ear. This term specifically applies to the pages of a book that have been folded down to mark a particular section or page for later reference. When a reader wants to remember a specific point they need to revisit, they will fold over the top corner of the page, creating a distinctive triangular shape. This technique is often used to easily locate and quickly return to a specific place within a book.
The practice of dog earing pages serves as a simple and convenient method of marking one's progress or important sections within a text. It is particularly handy when access to bookmarks or other page-marking tools is unavailable. Dog ears may also serve as a personal touch, with each unique crease capturing a reader's individual path through the book.
However, dog earing books can also be seen as a controversial practice among book lovers. Some argue that it damages the pages over time, permanently altering their original condition. Others propose various alternatives to marking pages, such as using bookmarks or sticky notes. Regardless, dog ears continue to be a recognizable and common sight in well-read books, bearing witness to a reader's journey through the pages.
The term "dog ears" might have originated from the comparison of certain dog breeds' ears to the folded corners of a book page. However, the exact etymology of "dog ears" is unclear, and it is challenging to find definitive historical references to its origin.
