The spelling of the word "eggen" may seem odd to non-native speakers of Germanic languages. However, its pronunciation can be explained through IPA phonetic transcription. In IPA, "e" sounds like the "e" in "pet", while "gg" represents a hard "g" sound. The final "en" of the word creates a distinct "n" sound at the end. Together, these sounds create the distinct pronunciation of "eggen" which is essential for communication in Germanic languages.
The word "eggen" has its origins in Middle Low German, where it was spelled "egen". It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally meaning "to provoke" or "to incite". Over time, its meaning shifted to refer specifically to the act of sharpening a blade on a sharpening stone, particularly for agricultural tools like scythes and sickles. This latter sense of the word eventually became more commonly known as "whetting" or "honing", while "eggen" fell out of use in English.