The spelling of the phrase "gat behind" may seem peculiar to some. However, it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Gat" is a dialectal variation of "got" and is pronounced /ɡæt/ in IPA, with a short "a" sound. "Behind" is pronounced /bɪˈhaɪnd/ in IPA, with the stress on the second syllable and a long "i" sound. Together, the phrase is pronounced /ɡæt bɪˈhaɪnd/. So, the spelling is simply a reflection of its pronunciation in certain dialects.
The phrase "gat behind" does not have a standard etymology as it seems to be a colloquial or slang expression. However, it can be broken down to analyze the meanings of its components:
1. "Gat" is a shortened form of the word "got". "Got" is the past tense of the verb "get", which means to acquire, obtain, or possess something. It can also be used to indicate understanding or comprehension.
2. "Behind" refers to the posterior or the backside of someone or something. It can also be used figuratively to denote being late or lagging.
Together, "gat behind" might be an informal expression that suggests acquiring or understanding something with a delay or being late in accomplishing a task or goal. However, it is important to note that the phrase does not possess a widely recognized etymology or fixed meaning in standard English.