The spelling of the word "gups" may seem confusing at first, but it can be easily explained using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The sound of "gups" is represented by the phonetic symbols /ɡʌps/, where the "g" is pronounced as a voiced velar stop, the "u" as a short vowel sound, the "p" as a voiceless bilabial stop, and the "s" as a voiceless alveolar sibilant. Understanding IPA phonetics can help with proper spelling and pronunciation of words, including "gups."