Pronunciation: [fˈɔːtɪz] (IPA) 
The word "forties" is spelled with an "ie" at the end, rather than a "y". This spelling can be explained through its phonetic transcription /ˈfɔːtiz/ – the "ie" is used to represent the long "o" sound, while the "s" at the end is pronounced with a "z" sound due to the voiced "t" before it. This spelling rule is common in English words that end in a voiceless consonant sound followed by a vowel, such as "ties" or "pies".
Forties is a noun that refers to the period of time between 40 and 49 years of age. It can also denote the decade of years starting from 40 to 49 or the range of numbers from 40 to 49. In terms of age, it is commonly used to describe an individual who has reached their forth decade of life. The forties typically mark a significant period of transition and change, both mentally and physically, as individuals often reassess their goals, priorities, and life choices. This period also includes experiences and challenges that are specific to this age group, such as career advancement, raising children, managing mid-life crises, and dealing with health-related issues.
When referring to the decade, the forties represent the years falling between 1940 and 1949. This period was marked by major historical events, such as World War II and the aftermath of the war, which had significant global implications. The forties also witnessed advancements in various fields, including technology, science, and medicine.
In summary, forties can refer to the age range between 40 and 49, the numerical range from 40 to 49, or the specific decade in history between 1940 and 1949.
See Forty.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "forties" refers to the numbers ranging from 40 to 49. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English word "feowertig", which means "forty". This Old English term evolved from the Middle English word "fourty", eventually becoming "forty" in Modern English. The "tig" in both Middle English and Old English represents a group of ten, similar to the "-ty" in the modern form. Therefore, the etymological origin of the word "forties" can be linked to its ancestral roots in Old English.
