The spelling of "spitted upon" is unusual because it is not a commonly used word in modern English. However, it is in fact an alternative spelling of the more commonly used past tense and past participle form of the verb "spit", which is usually spelled as "spat". The IPA phonetic transcription of "spitted upon" is /spɪtɪd əˈpɒn/. The use of the regular past tense –ed ending is evident in the transcription, and the stress falls on the second syllable.
"Spitted upon" is a phrase that refers to the act of forcefully projecting one's saliva, often accompanied by contempt or disrespect, towards someone or something. Unlike accidental spitting, spitting upon is a deliberate action carried out with the intention of demonstrating anger, defiance, or disdain.
This phrase is derived from the verb "to spit," which generally denotes the act of forcefully expelling saliva or mucus from one's mouth. However, when used in the context of being "spitted upon," it takes on a more offensive and degrading connotation. It signifies an intentional act of humiliation, a way to belittle or demean someone by treating them with disrespect and contempt.
The action of being spitted upon can take various forms, such as directly spitting on an individual or object, or expectorating saliva in their direction. This act often serves as a symbol of disgust, disdain, or even aggression towards the target or their actions. It can be seen as a non-verbal form of expressing hatred, rejection, or contempt towards a person or their beliefs.
Overall, being "spitted upon" entails being subjected to a demeaning act of deliberately projecting saliva towards someone, often as an offensive gesture or a sign of hostility.
The phrase "spitted upon" consists of two parts: "spit" and "upon".
The term "spit" has a Middle English origin and can be traced back to the Old English word "spitu", which means "a pointed stick" or "spear". This Old English word eventually evolved into "spyt" in Middle English, referring to a skewer used for roasting meat.
The preposition "upon" originated from the Old English phrase "uppon", which is a combination of "up" and "on". Over time, it evolved into "upon", retaining its meaning of being in contact or close proximity to something.
When these two elements are combined, "spit" (referring to a skewer) and "upon" (indicating contact or close proximity), they form the phrase "spitted upon".