The spelling of the word "ruether" can be confusing as it does not follow the usual phonetic rules of English. The correct pronunciation is /ˈruːðər/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "eu" sound in "ruether" is pronounced like the "oo" sound in "food" or "moon," while the "th" is a voiced dental fricative, like the "th" sound in "this" or "bathe." Interestingly, "ruether" is a surname of German origin, meaning "red army."