The word "skillman" is spelled with two L's, despite the fact that the pronunciation does not include an L sound. This is because the word actually derives from an old English word, "scolmann," which did contain an L sound. Over time, the L was dropped from the pronunciation but retained in the spelling. Using IPA phonetic transcription, the correct spelling of "skillman" would be /ˈskɪlmən/, with the IPA symbol for an L sound (/l/) included but not pronounced.
The word "skillman" is derived from the Middle English term "skilman", which originated from two components: "skil" and "man".
The term "skil" is related to the Old Norse word "skil", which means understanding, knowledge, or distinction. It also has connections to the Old English word "scylian", meaning to separate or distinguish.
The second component, "man", refers to a person or an individual.
Combining these elements, "skillman" originally referred to a person who possessed knowledge, understanding, or expertise in a particular skill or trade. Over time, it evolved to specifically indicate a person engaged in the production of objects or performing tasks that require skill and expertise.