The correct spelling of the phrase "spit images" is actually "spitting images". The phrase means a striking resemblance or likeness to someone or something else. The pronunciation of "spitting images" is /ˈspɪtɪŋ/ /ˈɪmədʒɪz/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "spit" sounds like the word "pit", followed by the "ing" sound. The second word "images" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by the "muh" sound, and the "jes" sound at the end.
"Spit image," also commonly spelled as "spitting image," is a colloquial term used to describe a person or thing that closely resembles another individual or object, usually in terms of appearance. This expression is predominantly used in informal language and is often heard in English-speaking countries, particularly in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
When someone or something is referred to as the "spit image" of another, it implies an uncanny resemblance or similarity. For instance, if a child is said to be the "spitting image" of their parent, it suggests that they bear a striking physical resemblance, including facial features, hair color, or overall body structure. Similarly, an object might be described as the "spitting image" of another if they share identical characteristics or attributes.
The origin of this phrase remains somewhat uncertain. Some speculate that "spit" in this context could be a derivative of the word "spirit," referring to a person or thing being so akin to another that it is as if their essence has been replicated. Others suggest that it stems from the phrase "spit and image," which implies that a person is so similar to another that they could have been produced through spitting (instead of the word "spitting," "splitting" has also been sometimes used).
While technically not a "real" word, "spit image" has become widely recognized and accepted in informal conversation, literature, and popular culture. It serves as a vivid and idiomatic expression to depict a remarkable resemblance between two entities, often used to emphasize how closely they resemble each other.
The phrase "spit image" is derived from the older expression "spit and image". The term "spit" here refers to the likeness or exact replica of something, while "image" refers to the visual representation or likeness of a person or thing. The word "spit" in this case is believed to be a corruption or contraction of the word "spirit". Hence, "spit and image" originally meant "spirit and image", suggesting someone who closely resembles another, almost as if they were sprouted from the same spirit. Over time, the phrase evolved to "spitting image" or "spit image", both of which are commonly used today to describe someone who closely resembles another person.