The spelling of the word "flegel" may seem confusing, but it can be explained through IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as /ˈflɛɡəl/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "f" sound is followed by a short "e" sound, then a hard "g" sound. The second syllable starts with a short "e" sound, followed by a soft "g" sound and ending with an "l" sound. Although it may seem like an unusual word, its spelling actually reflects its pronunciation quite accurately.
The word "flegel" is of Germanic origin, specifically from Middle High German "vlegel". It ultimately stems from the Old High German word "flegil", which means "flail" or "whip". The term made its way into English in the late 14th century referring to a flail-type implement used for threshing grain. Over time, the meaning of "flegel" broadened and came to be used metaphorically to describe a rude or ill-mannered person, akin to the action of a flail swinging wildly. This figurative sense later influenced its use to describe a young, inexperienced person as well.