Pronunciation: [tˈakt] (IPA) 
The word "tacked" is spelled with a "ck" instead of a "k" because it is a verb derived from the noun "tack," meaning "a small, sharp-pointed nail or pin." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is [tækt], with the "a" pronounced as in "cat" and the "t" and "d" pronounced clearly. The "ck" spelling represents the sound made by the combination of the consonants "k" and "c," which creates a hard, sharp sound.
Tacked is a verb that can have several meanings depending on the context. One of the primary definitions of tacked is related to sailing or boating. In this context, tacked refers to changing the direction of a boat by turning into the wind so that the wind switches from one side of the boat to the other, allowing the boat to move in a zigzag pattern. Tacking is an essential maneuver when sailing against the wind, as it enables the boat to progress forward rather than being pushed backward by the wind.
Another usage of tacked is in reference to the act of attaching or affixing something. When used in this sense, tacked means to fasten or secure one object to another, usually with the aid of small nails or tacks. It is commonly used when attaching papers, photos, or notices to a bulletin board or wall.
Furthermore, tacked can also describe the act of adding or including something additional to a main subject or topic. When used in this way, tacked means to append or attach an additional piece of information or discussion to an existing conversation, argument, or written text.
Overall, tacked refers to changing direction when sailing against the wind, attaching or affixing objects, or appending additional information to a main subject or discussion, depending on the context in which it is used.
* 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 "tacked" has multiple etymological origins depending on its usage.
1. In the context of sailing: "Tacked" derives from the nautical term "tack" which refers to the act of changing the direction of a sailing vessel by turning the bow of the boat through the wind. This term originated from Old English "tæcce", meaning "a rope used to fasten a sail". Over time, the verb form "to tack" emerged to describe the maneuver of changing the direction of the boat by turning into the wind.
2. In the context of sewing: "Tacked" is a term used to describe loose temporary stitches or basting stitches made to hold fabric or other materials in place before permanent sewing. This usage comes from the Middle English word "takken", meaning "to attach".
