The word "tailing" is commonly spelt with a single "l", which can cause confusion with the similar-looking word "tailing", meaning the waste material left over after metal extraction. The correct spelling, however, is with a double "l", making it pronounced as /ˈteɪlɪŋ/. This spelling follows the rule that when a vowel is followed by a single consonant and then an "e", the vowel is usually long and the consonant is doubled. So, in this case, the "i" in "tail" is long, and the double "l" indicates this to the reader.
Tailing is a term that has multiple meanings and applications depending on the context. In its most common usage, tailing refers to the act of following someone or something closely, typically to observe or monitor their actions covertly. It can involve discreetly tracking a person or a vehicle to gather information or evidence. Tailing often requires skill and stealth to avoid detection and maintain a safe distance. This technique is commonly employed by private investigators, law enforcement officers, and intelligence agencies for surveillance purposes.
Additionally, tailing can refer to the residual material or waste left behind after a particular process or activity. For instance, in mining operations, tailings are the by-products produced after valuable minerals have been extracted from ore. These tailings consist of the unextracted part of the ore along with chemicals and other substances used during the extraction process. Similarly, in environmental engineering, tailings can refer to the waste material left over from industrial processes, such as chemical manufacturing or power generation.
Furthermore, tailing can also describe an action of following closely behind someone or something in a line or sequence. This meaning is often used in the context of vehicles or machines moving in succession. For instance, cars in a motorcade may follow in a tailing formation, or a train of objects can be said to be tailing each other as they move in a line.
Overall, the definition of tailing varies depending on the specific domain or context in which it is used, but it generally refers to the act of following, residual waste, or sequential movement.
In arch., the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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 "tailing" has multiple meanings, so the etymology may vary depending on the context.
1. In the context of mining or industrial operations, "tailing" refers to the waste materials left behind after extracting valuable minerals from ore. The term originated from the verb "tail", which means "to strip off the tail" or "to separate the valuable part from the worthless part". In this sense, "tailing" describes the leftover residue or debris that trails behind the operation, similar to the tail of an animal.
2. In the context of surveillance or spying, "tailing" refers to discreetly following and monitoring someone's movements. This meaning is derived from the noun "tail", which originally meant "the hindmost part of an animal". Over time, it expanded to include the idea of tracking and observing someone from behind, hence "tailing".