The spelling of the word "putting bug ear" may seem confusing at first glance, but it can be easily explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first word, "putting," is pronounced as /ˈpʌtɪŋ/, with the "t" sound clearly heard. The second word, "bug," is pronounced as /bʌɡ/, with a short "u" sound. Finally, the third word, "ear," is pronounced as /ɪr/, with the vowel sound of "i" and a silent "e." When put together, the spelling of "putting bug ear" accurately represents the sound of the words.