The spelling of the word "McKillip" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "Mc" is pronounced as /mak/, with a strong emphasis on the "a" sound. The second syllable "Killip" is pronounced as /kɪlɪp/, with a short "i" sound and a stressed second syllable. The unique spelling of the name comes from its Irish roots, where the "Mc" prefix denotes "son of" in Gaelic. "Killip" itself is a variation of the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Eiphe," meaning "son of the servant of the bishop."