The spelling of the word "pathogen cartoon" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first word, "pathogen," is pronounced as /ˈpæθədʒən/, with stress on the second syllable. It refers to a microorganism that causes disease. The second word, "cartoon," is pronounced as /kɑrˈtuːn/ with stress on the first syllable. It refers to a humorous drawing or animation. These two words together create a unique combination that may seem unusual but can be easily pronounced and understood within the English language.