The word "pickings" is spelled with a short i sound followed by a hard c and a soft k. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈpɪkɪŋz/. The two k's in the word are often confusing for some English speakers as they are used to a single k in words like "picking". However, in "pickings", the double k is necessary to emphasize the hard sound of the letter. The word means 'the things left over after everything else has been taken'.
Pickings can be defined as the items or rewards obtained or available as a result of a particular activity or effort. It refers to the tangible or intangible benefits, gains, or opportunities that one can acquire or seize in a specific context. The term often connotes the idea of gaining something advantageous or desirable, typically through a process of selection, collection, or extraction.
In general, pickings imply that there are choices or options available for someone to obtain a share or portion of something. These can include tangible entities like fruits, vegetables, or valuable items that are collected or harvested. For instance, a farmer reaps the pickings of his crop, collecting the produce after it has ripened.
Moreover, pickings can also encompass more abstract concepts, such as opportunities or advantages that arise from particular situations or circumstances. This can involve securing a job, promotion, or business deal that presents a favorable outcome. It can also refer to the rewards or profits obtained from investment or financial endeavors.
Furthermore, pickings can denote the act of selectively choosing or taking advantage of available opportunities or resources. The term can underline the notion of exercising astute judgment or skillful selection in order to obtain the best possible results.
Overall, pickings encapsulate the notion of gaining something valuable, whether it is tangible or intangible, through a process of selection, collection, or exploitation.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pickings" derives from the verb "pick", which can be traced back to the Old English word "pician" or "pycian". This verb meant to "pluck" or "gather" something. Over time, "pickings" developed as the noun form of the verb, referring to the act of gathering or selecting things. It is often used in expressions like "easy pickings" or "rich pickings", which indicate an easy or profitable opportunity.