How Do You Spell SPILLIKIN?

Pronunciation: [spˈɪlɪkˌɪn] (IPA)

The word "spillikin" is a strange and rarely used term that has an unusual spelling. It is pronounced as spil-i-kin, with the stress on the first syllable. The word refers to a thin and delicate piece of wood used in games, such as pick-up sticks. Its spelling is derived from the similar word "spilikin," which originated from the Dutch word "spijker" meaning "nail." The spelling of the word "spillikin" is influenced by its pronunciation and the spelling conventions of the English language.

SPILLIKIN Meaning and Definition

1. Spillikin is a noun referring to a slender, pointed piece of wood or bone used in the game of pick-up sticks. It is often associated with the more specific term "jackstraw," which refers to a game played with spillikins.

   In the game of pick-up sticks, typically played on a flat surface, a number of spillikins or thin sticks are dropped in a haphazard manner, creating a jumbled pile. Players then take turns removing a stick from this pile without disturbing the remaining sticks. The objective is to successfully remove as many sticks as possible without causing the neighboring ones to move. The player with the highest score, based on the value assigned to the different spillikins, is declared the winner.

   The term "spillikin" may also be used metaphorically to depict something fragile or delicate. This connotation arises from the thinness and fragility of the spillikins used in the game. In such instances, it suggests that the referred object, person, or situation is easily breakable or liable to be disrupted. This metaphorical use emphasizes vulnerability and sensitivity, highlighting the need for careful handling and protection.

   Overall, "spillikin" encompasses both the physical object played in the game of pick-up sticks and its broader metaphorical implications, reinforcing the notion of fragility and the importance of delicate handling and preservation in various contexts.

Common Misspellings for SPILLIKIN

• apillikin
• zpillikin
• xpillikin
• dpillikin
• epillikin
• wpillikin
• soillikin
• slillikin
• s-illikin
• s0illikin
• spullikin
• spjllikin
• spkllikin
• spollikin
• sp9llikin
• sp8llikin
• spiklikin
• spiplikin
• spiolikin

Etymology of SPILLIKIN

The word spillikin is derived from the Middle Dutch word spelleken, which means little peg or stick. It entered the English language around the mid-17th century. The term was initially used to refer to small pegs or stakes used in various games and activities, such as cribbage or weaving. Over time, it also came to refer specifically to one of the small sticks or pins used in the game of pickup sticks. Nowadays, spillikin is mostly an archaic term and has largely been replaced by pick-up stick or simply stick.

Similar spelling words for SPILLIKIN

• splicing,
• splashing,
• spillikins.

Plural form of SPILLIKIN is SPILLIKINS