Pronunciation: [fˈɪfti fˈɜːst] (IPA) 
The spelling of the ordinal number "fifty first" can be explained using the IPA phonetic transcription. It is pronounced as /ˈfɪfti fɜ:st/. The first syllable is pronounced as "fif" (/fɪf/), followed by the "ti" (/ti/) sound. The second syllable is pronounced as "fəst" (/fɜ:st/), with the "r" being a silent letter. Therefore, the correct spelling of this ordinally numbered word is "fifty first".
"Fifty-first" is an ordinal number, often written as "51st," that represents the position or order of something in a sequence. It is composed of the cardinal number "fifty" and the suffix "-first."
The term "fifty" refers to the numeral 50, which is a whole number between 49 and 51. It holds a value that represents the quantity or amount of something in the context. The suffix "-first" functions to denote the rank, place, or order of this quantity in a series or sequence. It is derived from the base word "first," which indicates the initial or primary position in the series.
Therefore, "fifty-first" describes the item or event that is preceded by the first fifty items or events in a given order, be it a list, series, or lineup. For example, in a class roll call, if a student's name is the 51st to be called out, they can be referred to as the "fifty-first" student. Similarly, in a competition, if a participant finishes in the 51st position, they can be recognized as the "fifty-first" contestant.
Overall, "fifty-first" signifies being just after the first fifty elements in a specific sequence.
The etymology of the word "fifty first" can be understood by breaking it down into its constituents: "fifty" and "first".
The word "fifty" comes from the Old English word "fīftig", which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*fimfiǥatiǥ". The "fif" element can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*penkwe", meaning "five".
The word "first" comes from the Old English word "fyrst", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*frustiz". This ultimately originates from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pryH-", meaning "first" or "foremost".
When these elements are combined, "fifty first" simply means the ordinal number for describing something in the position immediately following fifty.
