The spelling of "forget about" is fairly straightforward, with no major surprises. The first syllable, "for," is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɔr/, similar to "aw" in "law." The second syllable, "get," is pronounced with the short "e" sound, /ɛ/, as in "met." The final syllable, "a-bout," features the vowel sound /aʊ/, as in "ouch." Overall, the word is pronounced /fɔrˈɡɛt əˈbaʊt/ in IPA phonetic transcription.
The phrase "forget about" consists of two components. Firstly, the verb "forget" refers to the act of failing to remember or to no longer have in one's mind something that was previously known or experienced. It involves the loss or lack of mental recall or awareness. Forgetting can occur unintentionally as a result of negligence or distraction, or it can be a deliberate choice to intentionally not remember or put aside a matter or memory.
Secondly, the preposition "about" signifies a focus or concern directed towards a particular topic or situation. It refers to the aspect, issue, or information in question. When used collectively in the expression "forget about," it conveys the idea of deliberately or unintentionally dismissing, disregarding, or ceasing to think about a specific matter or subject. It implies consciously or unconsciously deciding to no longer give attention, importance or consideration to someone or something.
Overall, "forget about" denotes the act of intentionally or unintentionally abandoning or neglecting the recollection, acknowledgement, or involvement with a particular matter, individual, or circumstance. It suggests disregarding the relevance or influence of something and choosing to disengage or not concern oneself with it. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as personal relationships, work responsibilities, or general matters where a person deliberately or unintentionally chooses to eradicate or set aside a particular thought, issue, or memory.
The etymology of the phrase "forget about" can be understood by examining the origin of its constituent words.
1. Forget: The word "forget" comes from the Old English word "forgietan", which combines "for-" (away) and "gietan" (to grasp or hold). It originally carried the meaning of "to lose a grasp or hold on something", or "to lose from memory".
2. About: The word "about" has its origins in Middle English, derived from Old English "onbūtan" which means "around" or "on every side". Over time, it evolved to mean "concerning" or "in relation to".
When combined, the phrase "forget about" refers to the act of consciously or unconsciously losing something from memory or disregarding something in relation to a certain topic or matter.