The word "swopes" is a peculiar spelling of the verb "swoops," which means to descend or move quickly in a sweeping motion. The pronunciation of "swopes" is /swuːps/, with the "oo" sound as in "moon." The use of "swopes" instead of "swoops" could be a result of regional dialect, ignorance of the correct spelling, or deliberate misspelling for stylistic purposes. However, it is important to note that the correct spelling of the word is "swoops," and using alternative spellings may lead to confusion or misinterpretation.