How Do You Spell MCCARTHY?

Pronunciation: [məkˈɑːði] (IPA)

The word "McCarthy" is spelled phonetically as /məˈkɑrθi/. The initial "Mc" is pronounced as "mək", where the "c" is silent. The "a" sound is pronounced as "ɑ", while the "r" is rolled in the middle of the word. The "th" is pronounced as "θi", where the "th" sound is made by placing the tip of your tongue in between your teeth. The correct spelling of "McCarthy" is important for proper identification and communication, especially in formal settings such as business or legal documents.

MCCARTHY Meaning and Definition

1. McCarthy, as a noun, refers to both a surname and a term associated with a political era. As a surname, McCarthy is of Irish origin and means "son of Carthach," derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "Carthach" referring to a person named Carthach. This surname dates back to ancient Ireland and is often associated with families of Irish descent.

   In a broader context, McCarthy, notably associated with Senator Joseph McCarthy, characterizes a period of American history known as McCarthyism. This term emerged during the late 1940s and early 1950s, in which Senator Joseph McCarthy led a campaign against alleged communism within the United States, primarily targeting individuals in government, entertainment, and academic institutions. McCarthyism is characterized by the use of unsubstantiated accusations, guilt by association, and intimidation tactics. The era was marked by fear and blacklisting, resulting in the ruination of many careers and reputations. Eventually, McCarthy's tactics were discredited, leading to his censure and the decline of the McCarthyism era.

   Today, the term "McCarthy" is often used metaphorically to refer to any unjust or unsubstantiated accusations or actions intended to suppress political dissent or intimidate individuals. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of mob mentality, demagoguery, and the abuse of power in political and social realms.

Top Common Misspellings for MCCARTHY *

• mcarthy 47.0588235%
• macarthy 23.5294117%
• mccarty 5.8823529%

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for MCCARTHY

• mccarthys
• mccathy
• mccarthey
• mccarther
• macarty
• carthy
• mccartny
• mccarhty
• mccartey
• Maccartny
• McCartie

Etymology of MCCARTHY

The word "McCarthy" is derived from the Irish surname Mac Cárthaigh. "Mac" means "son of", and "Cárthaigh" is a personal name that comes from the Old Irish words "cath" meaning "battle", and "rígh" meaning "king". Therefore, the name Mac Cárthaigh can be translated as "son of Cárthaigh". Over time, Mac Cárthaigh anglicized to McCarthy, which is now a common surname primarily associated with Irish ancestry.

Similar spelling words for MCCARTHY

• McCartt,
• mcgarrity,
• mccourt,
• mccartney,
• McCardle,
• mccarter,
• mcgirt,
• McArthur,
• mccart,
• McCarty,
• McGrath,
• McCurtis,
• mccarthyism,
• McWhirt,
• Macartney.