The word "pankey" is often misspelled due to its pronunciation. The correct spelling is "panicky" /ˈpæn.ɪ.ki/. The first syllable is pronounced "pan" as in the cooking utensil, while the second syllable is pronounced "icky" as in "yucky". The spelling of "panicky" reflects the Greek root "panikos", meaning "pertaining to panic". Despite the confusion surrounding its spelling, "panicky" remains a commonly used word to describe feelings of extreme anxiety or fear.