How Do You Spell FORTY WINKS?

Pronunciation: [fˈɔːti wˈɪŋks] (IPA)

The phrase "forty winks" means a quick nap or a short sleep. Its spelling may seem peculiar as the word "forty" is not pronounced as it is spelled. Instead of "for-tee," it is pronounced as "four-tee," with stress on "four." As for "winks," it is a regular noun that sounds exactly as it is spelled. The International Phonetic Alphabet transcription for "forty winks" is /ˈfɔːti wɪŋks/, with stress on the first syllable of "forty" and the second syllable of "winks."

FORTY WINKS Meaning and Definition

1. The term "forty winks" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a short nap or a brief period of sleep, typically lasting for a short duration of time. It is derived from the notion that taking such a nap is akin to closing one's eyes for approximately forty short moments, indicating a quick and light sleep.

   The phrase is believed to have originated in the 19th century and has become a part of everyday English language use. It is often used to describe a quick break or a momentary rest taken in order to relax or relieve fatigue during the day. The duration of a "forty winks" nap may vary, but it generally implies a fairly brief period of sleeping, usually less than an hour.

   The expression "forty winks" is commonly associated with the idea of taking a short nap during the day, especially when one wants to rejuvenate themselves or temporarily escape from the demands of work or daily activities. It can be used in a casual or colloquial context to signify a short respite or a moment of leisure spent in sleep. The term conveys the concept of grabbing a few moments of much-needed rest in a lighthearted and playful manner.

Common Misspellings for FORTY WINKS

• dorty winks
• corty winks
• vorty winks
• gorty winks
• rorty winks
• firty winks
• fkrty winks
• flrty winks
• fprty winks
• f0rty winks
• f9rty winks
• foety winks
• fodty winks
• fofty winks
• fotty winks
• fo5ty winks
• fo4ty winks
• forry winks
• forty awinks

Etymology of FORTY WINKS

The phrase "forty winks" is a colloquial expression that means a short nap or a brief period of sleep. The etymology of this phrase can be traced back to the early 19th century in Britain.

The word "wink" refers to a brief closing and opening of the eyes or a very short sleep. In this context, "winks" represent a short, light sleep or a quick nap.

As for the number "forty", it is often used idiomatically to mean a vaguely defined large number or a long period of time. So, "forty winks" can be interpreted as a figurative way of saying a relatively short amount of time to rest or take a nap.

The phrase gained popularity through literary works and became commonly used in everyday language. It remains an idiomatic expression to describe a brief period of sleep.

Idioms with the word FORTY WINKS

• catch forty winks The idiom "catch forty winks" means to take a short nap or get some sleep, usually for a brief period of time.
• forty winks The idiom "forty winks" refers to a short nap or rest, usually lasting only a few minutes.