How Do You Spell PAYDIRT?

Pronunciation: [pˈe͡ɪdɜːt] (IPA)

Paydirt is commonly spelled as one word, and it refers to a valuable discovery or a successful outcome, especially in business or sport. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /peɪˌdɜrt/, which indicates that the word is pronounced with a long 'a' sound followed by a stressed syllable containing the vowel sound /ɜː/. The final syllable is pronounced with a short 'i' sound and an unvoiced /t/ consonant, giving the word a punchy, satisfying ending.

PAYDIRT Meaning and Definition

1. Paydirt refers to a term commonly used in mining and prospecting to describe the valuable ore or minerals found during excavation. This term is derived from the literal meaning of "pay" as money or valuable compensation, and "dirt" referring to earth or soil. It encompasses the idea that striking a vein or deposit of valuable minerals within the earth is akin to striking wealth or making a profitable excavation.

   In a broader sense, paydirt can also be used metaphorically to denote a significant discovery or a highly favorable outcome. This usage implies that the individual or organization has come across something valuable or achieved a desirable result.

   In sports, particularly American football, paydirt refers to the end zone or the area just beyond it. Scoring a touchdown, where the ball reaches or crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line, is colloquially referred to as reaching paydirt. This term symbolizes the successful completion of a play and scoring points for one's team.

   Overall, paydirt represents the notion of finding or achieving something highly valuable, whether it be valuable minerals or ores in mining, significant discoveries, or successful outcomes in various contexts.

Etymology of PAYDIRT

The word "paydirt" originated in the field of mining during the mid-19th century. It is a compound noun formed by combining the words "pay" and "dirt".

The term "pay" here refers to valuable or profitable material that miners aim to extract. It comes from the verb "to pay", which originally meant to satisfy or give money for goods or services. In the context of mining, it refers to the valuable material in an ore deposit that is worth extracting, such as gold, silver, or other precious minerals.

The word "dirt" simply refers to soil or earth. In mining, "dirt" denotes the material that contains the valuable minerals being sought after.

So, when combined, "paydirt" essentially means soil or earth that contains valuable minerals, indicating that miners have struck a profitable vein or deposit.

Similar spelling word for PAYDIRT

• pay dirt.