The word 'hurdles' is spelled with a silent 'd'. The phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈhɜːdəlz/. The 'h' is pronounced, followed by the long 'u' sound 'ɜː'. The 'r' sound is produced without the vibration of the vocal cords, hence the notation 'ɹ'. The final syllable is a schwa sound 'ə' followed by an 'lz' sound, which is pronounced like 'lz' in 'sizzles'. Remembering the correct spelling of hurdles can be tricky, but with the proper phonetic understanding, it becomes much easier.
Hurdles refer to a form of athletic event where participants must overcome barriers, known as hurdles, set at regular intervals along a track. These hurdles are rigid structures typically made of wood or metal and are positioned at a height of 91.4 centimeters (36 inches) for men and 76.2 centimeters (30 inches) for women. The objective of the event is for each athlete to successfully clear these barriers without knocking them over in the process.
Hurdles are an integral part of track and field events, requiring a combination of speed, agility, coordination, and technique. The race involves a sprinting approach toward each hurdle, followed by an explosive leap as the participant lifts their lead leg to clear the obstacle, while the trailing leg drives upward and pushes off, propelling themselves forward. The arms play a crucial role in balancing and ensuring a smooth passage over the hurdles.
Hurdles are classified based on the distance between the barriers and the number of laps in a race. The standard track events include the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles for men, and the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles for women. In addition, there are also longer-distance hurdle races like the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Beyond the realm of athletics, "hurdles" can metaphorically represent any obstacles or challenges that individuals face in their lives or endeavors. This word is often used to describe setbacks, barriers, or difficulties that need to be overcome in order to achieve success or progress.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hurdles" has its origins in the Old English language. It comes from the word "hyrdel" which means a frame or a portable barrier made of wooden or metal strips. This word can be traced further back to the Old High German word "hurtil" meaning a hurdle or a wickerwork fence. The use of hurdles in early times can be seen in agriculture and animal husbandry as a means of enclosure or containment. Over time, the word "hurdles" began to be associated with an obstacle in a race, referring to the barriers that athletes must jump over.