The spelling of the word "mamby" may be confusing to some, but it is actually quite simple when broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The correct spelling is "mambi" /ˈmæmbi/, with an "i" at the end rather than a "y." The pronunciation of the word is "MA-m-bee," with emphasis on the first syllable. "Mambi" is a term used in Cuban history, referring to the guerrilla forces during the War of Independence.