Pronunciation: [spˈuːkɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "spooking" is spelled with two O's, as it comes from the root word "spook," which means ghost or scare. In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of "spooking" is /ˈspuːkɪŋ/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "u" sound and the second syllable ends in the -ing suffix that indicates continuous action. To spell this word correctly, remember to use two O's and keep the "ing" ending.
Spooking is a verb derived from the noun "spook," which is a slang term used to describe a ghost or a spirit. In its general sense, "spooking" refers to the act of frightening or startling someone or something unexpectedly.
In the context of animals, particularly horses, spooking describes their sudden, instinctive reaction to something they perceive as a threat or danger. When horses get spooked, they may become startled, shy, or even panic, often resulting in them bolting, running away, or engaging in other dangerous behaviors. Spooking can be triggered by various stimuli, such as sudden noises, unusual objects, sudden movements, or unfamiliar situations.
In a broader context, spooking can also be used metaphorically to describe someone or something causing fear or unease in individuals. For instance, a person might feel spooked when walking alone in a dark alley or when watching a horror movie. Similarly, the term can be used to describe a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension resulting from suspicious or mysterious events.
Overall, spooking refers to the action of causing fear or sudden fright, whether it be in animals or people. It encompasses the range of reactions and behaviors that can arise from such fear, be it a horse bolting, a person feeling uneasy, or the general sense of being startled or scared.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "spooking" is derived from the verb "spook".
The term "spook" originated in the early 1800s, primarily in American English, and was initially used as a noun. It is believed to be derived from the Dutch "spook" or "spoken", which means "ghost" or "specter". The Dutch term, in turn, can be traced back to the Old Norse word "spok", meaning "fear" or "dread".
Over time, the noun "spook" took on a more figurative meaning, referring to a spy or intelligence officer. This usage likely arose during the Cold War era, particularly in reference to secret agents working for the CIA or other intelligence agencies.
The verb form "spooking" is a conjugation of "spook" that denotes the action of scaring or startling someone or something, often by appearing suddenly or unexpectedly.
