The spelling of the word "rug ape" may seem strange at first glance. However, it actually makes perfect sense when looking at its IPA phonetic transcription: /rʌɡ eɪp/. The "r" sound is followed by a short "u" sound, represented by the phonetic symbol "ʌ". The "g" sound is then combined with a long "a" sound, represented by "eɪ". Finally, the "p" sound brings the word to a close. So, while "rug ape" may look unusual, its phonetic transcription shows that it follows English spelling and pronunciation rules.