Pronunciation: [ɡə͡ʊz stˈe͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The phrase "goes stale" refers to something becoming stale or no longer fresh. It is pronounced as /ɡəʊz steɪl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "o" in "goes" is pronounced as a long vowel sound, while the "e" in "stale" is also a long vowel sound. The "s" in "goes" is unvoiced, while the "s" in "stale" is voiced. The spelling of the word "stale" is quite straightforward, with each letter being pronounced individually.
To go stale refers to the process or state of becoming hard, dry, tasteless, or generally less desirable due to exposure to air, moisture, or time. When a substance, especially food, goes stale, it loses its freshness and becomes less appealing and palatable.
The term "goes stale" is commonly used when referring to bread or baked goods, although it can also apply to other perishable items such as coffee, chips, or crackers. When bread goes stale, it becomes dry, loses its softness and elasticity, and becomes more crumbly. The exposure to air causes the moisture to evaporate, resulting in a change in texture and taste.
Staleness can occur due to various factors, including improper storage conditions, such as leaving the food exposed to the air or not sealing it properly. Additionally, certain environmental factors like humidity can expedite the process.
To prevent food from going stale, it is often recommended to store it in airtight containers or plastic bags, limiting its exposure to air, and, in some cases, refrigeration or freezing may be necessary. In the case of stale bread, it can be revived by briefly heating it in an oven or toasting it.
Overall, when something goes stale, it signifies a decline in quality or freshness and warns of an undesirable change in texture, taste, or appeal due to external conditions or the passage of time.
The phrase "goes stale" is not a word with an etymology, but a combination of words that form a phrase. "Goes" is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "to go", while "stale" is an adjective meaning no longer fresh or lively. "Go stale" is a figurative expression used to describe food or other perishable items that become less desirable or lose their freshness over time.
However, if you're interested in the etymology of the word "stale", it comes from the Old French word "estale" or "estal", meaning "stationary, motionless, fixed in place". It later evolved to mean "tasteless" or "faded", and eventually came to represent the sense of something being no longer fresh or appealing.
