The spelling of the word "eichhorn" may seem confusing at first glance, but it actually follows a common pattern in the English language. The word is pronounced /ˈaɪkˌhɔrn/ and is spelled with an "ei" at the beginning to represent the long "i" sound, followed by "ch" to indicate the "k" sound and then "orn" to represent the final syllable. While this spelling may appear unusual to those unfamiliar with Germanic languages, it reflects the complex and nuanced ways in which words are spelled and pronounced in English.
The word "eichhorn" comes from the German language. Its etymology can be traced back to two root words: "eiche" meaning "oak" and "horn" meaning "horn". The term was originally used to refer to the squirrel, an animal known for its habit of gnawing on acorns, which are found on oak trees. Over time, the term "eichhorn" became commonly used to describe the squirrel specifically.