How Do You Spell GUINEA PIG?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈɪni pˈɪɡ] (IPA)

The word "guinea pig" is an interesting one when it comes to spelling. Despite the fact that the word "guinea" is typically spelled with a "g," the word "guinea pig" actually begins with a "gw" sound. This is because the word originated from the French word "Guinée," which was pronounced with a "gw" sound. In phonetic transcription, the word "guinea pig" would be spelled /ˈɡɪni pɪɡ/. Despite its unique spelling, the guinea pig remains a popular household pet around the world.

GUINEA PIG Meaning and Definition

1. A guinea pig, also known as a cavy, is a small domesticated rodent belonging to the Caviidae family. Native to South America, guinea pigs are typically kept as pets due to their docile nature and social behavior.

   Physically, a guinea pig is characterized by a stout body, rounded head, and short legs. They have a dense fur coat that can come in various colors and patterns. Often, they possess a pair of prominent eyes and small ears. Guinea pigs typically reach a length of 8-10 inches and can weigh around 1-3 pounds.

   The term "guinea pig" can also refer to a person who voluntarily or involuntarily becomes a test subject for experiments or trials, particularly in the field of medicine or research. This phrase stems from guinea pigs being historically used in experiments due to their similarities with humans in terms of physiological responses.

   In a colloquial sense, "guinea pig" can be used to describe someone who is subjected to a new or unfamiliar situation to assess its impacts or consequences, often for the benefit of others.

   Overall, the term "guinea pig" encompasses both its zoological meaning as a pet rodent and its figurative usage, depicting individuals involved in experimental scenarios or acting as a test subject for certain purposes.

2. A small animal of the rodent or gnawing order, covered with white, red, and black patches; a cony.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for GUINEA PIG

• guineapig

Etymology of GUINEA PIG

The etymology of the term "guinea pig" can be traced back to the middle of the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the mistaken belief that these small rodents were from the West African region of Guinea. Europeans at the time often referred to any exotic or unfamiliar item as "Guinea", regardless of its true origin. Similarly, these creatures were thought to resemble the pig due to their appearance and noisy behavior, resulting in the term "guinea pig". It's important to note that guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, and their closest wild relatives are found in the Andes region of South America.

Idioms with the word GUINEA PIG

• Serve as a guinea pig The idiom "serve as a guinea pig" refers to someone who is used or experimented on to test a new idea, product, or process without knowing the potential risks or outcomes. In this context, the person serves as a test subject or participant for a trial or experiment, willingly or unwillingly.
• a guinea pig The idiom "a guinea pig" refers to a person or thing used as an experimental subject, typically to test a new product, idea, or activity before it is introduced or implemented widely. It implies that the individual or thing involved is being used as a trial or test subject to determine the potential outcomes or effects.
• guinea pig A person or animal used as a subject for experimentation or testing of a new product or idea.

Similar spelling words for GUINEA PIG

• juniper,
• turnpike,
• unpack,
• generic,
• genetic.

Plural form of GUINEA PIG is GUINEA PIGS