The spelling of the word "gish" may seem unorthodox, but it follows the English language's inconsistent phonetic rules. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), "gish" is pronounced as /ɡɪʃ/. This means the "g" is pronounced as a hard "g" sound, similar to the "g" in "go," followed by a short "i" sound like in "hit," and ending with the "sh" sound like in "wish." Despite its unconventional spelling, "gish" is a legitimate word used to describe something of little value or quality.
The word "gish" is believed to be a neologism derived from the name of the American actress Lillian Gish (1893-1993). Lillian Gish was an acclaimed silent film actress known for her delicate and innocent portrayal of characters in movies such as "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) and "Broken Blossoms" (1919).
In the early 1990s, the term "gish" started to be used in the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins' fan community. The band's lead singer and songwriter, Billy Corgan, admired Lillian Gish and found her name to be intriguing. He used the term "gish" to describe a specific kind of artistic beauty and ethereal quality, similar to that of the actress herself.