Pronunciation: [mˈɛnfə͡ʊk] (IPA) 
The word "menfolk" is spelled with the letter "f" at the end, despite the fact that it is pronounced with a "k" sound. This is because the word originally comes from the Old English word "fólc" which meant "people" or "nation", and the "f" spelling was retained when the word underwent changes in pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for "menfolk" is /ˈmɛnˌfəʊk/, with the letter "o" pronounced as a long "o" sound.
Menfolk is a noun that refers to the male members of a community, a family, or a specific group. The word is a combination of "men" (adult human males) and "folk" (a term used to describe a group of people or community). It is commonly used in informal or colloquial language to distinguish or refer specifically to the male members of a social unit.
The term "menfolk" can apply to several contexts. In a familial sense, it usually denotes the male relatives, such as fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, and male cousins, within a family unit. It is employed as an inclusive reference to categorize and mention the men within a specific group or community, such as men within a rural setting, a workplace, or an organization. This term can also be used in a broader cultural or societal context to refer to men as a whole.
The usage of "menfolk" implies a sense of unity, camaraderie, or shared experiences among men within a particular setting. However, it is essential to note that the term can also carry connotations of traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Depending on the context and the intention of the speaker, "menfolk" can be seen as either a neutral or a gendered term.
The word "menfolk" is a compound word that merges two different words, "men" and "folk".
The term "men" comes from the Old English word "mann", which referred to an adult human being of the male gender. It has Germanic roots and is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "mannaz", which means "man" or "human".
The term "folk" originated from the Old English word "folc", which meant "people" or "nation". It has a shared Germanic origin with the Old High German word "folk" and Old Norse word "folk", both with similar meanings.
When combined, "menfolk" hence refers to the male members of a particular group or community. It is often used to distinguish them from women or to refer collectively to both men and women in certain contexts.
