Pronunciation: [kˈɛpt tˈalɪ] (IPA) 
The spelling of "kept tally" is straightforward, with each word reflecting its pronunciation. "Kept" is pronounced [kɛpt], with a short e sound followed by a p and a t sound. "Tally" is pronounced [ˈtæli], with a short a sound, followed by a l sound and a long e sound. The phrase "kept tally" refers to an accurate record of something, usually numbers or scores, that has been maintained over time.
"Kept tally" refers to the practice of tracking, recording, or maintaining a count or score of something over time, typically in a systematic manner. The phrase "kept tally" can be used both in literal and figurative contexts to denote the act of constantly monitoring or remembering a series of events, actions, or data points.
In a literal sense, "kept tally" may refer to physically marking or counting items on a tally sheet, board, or any other medium to keep track of the number or frequency of occurrences. This could apply to various scenarios, such as keeping a score in a sporting event, recording votes in an election, or documenting the number of sales or customers in a business.
Metaphorically, "kept tally" can be used to describe the act of mentally or informally tracking events, achievements, or progress. For instance, one might say "kept tally" to refer to the process of remembering successes, accomplishments, or failures in a personal or professional sphere. This can help individuals evaluate their performance, measure productivity, or analyze trends and patterns.
In summary, "kept tally" encompasses the action of monitoring, recording, or remembering a count or score, whether done physically or mentally, both in literal and figurative contexts.
The etymology of the phrase "kept tally" can be traced back to the Middle English and Old French origins of the individual words.
1. "Kept" - This word comes from the Middle English word "kēpen" which means "to watch over, guard, or maintain". It can be further traced back to the Old English word "cēpan". Both the Middle English and Old English words have Germanic roots and are related to words such as "cope" and "keep" in Modern English.
2. "Tally" - This word comes from the Middle English word "tali" which means "a stick, a piece of wood". It derives from the Old French word "tale" or "tally", which also refers to a stick or piece of wood used for keeping a record or tally.
