Pronunciation: [tˈiːtəz] (IPA) 
The word "teeters" is spelled with a double "t" in the middle, which can sometimes be confusing for non-native English speakers. The IPA transcription of the word is /ˈtiːtərz/, where the first "t" is pronounced with a long "e" sound, followed by a short "i". The doubled "t" is pronounced with a brief stop in the airflow, creating a sound that is both aspirated and plosive. The final "s" is pronounced with a soft "z" sound.
Teeters is a verb that refers to the act of being unsteady or shaky, especially when balancing or standing on an unstable surface. This term conveys a sense of uncertainty or instability in one's movements or position. When someone teeters, they sway or wobble, suggesting a lack of control or balance.
The term teeters can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or state of affairs that is on the verge of collapse or falling apart. In this context, teeters implies that something is in a precarious or unstable condition, and any slight disturbance could lead to a complete breakdown or failure.
Teeters originated from the noun teeter-totter, which is a playground see-saw that teeters back and forth when children sit on either end. The verb form extends this image of swaying or rocking motion to describe movements or situations that lack firmness, stability, or certainty.
Overall, the word teeters relates to physical or metaphorical instability, suggesting a precarious or unsteady state. Whether describing a person's physical balance or the fragility of a situation, teeters conveys the idea of being on the edge, ready to tip or collapse under pressure.
* 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 "teeters" originates from the Middle English term "teteren" which meant to seesaw or waver. This Middle English word likely evolved from the Old English word "titrian" which had a similar meaning. The exact origin of "titrian" is uncertain, but it may have been influenced by related Old Norse words like "titra" meaning to shake or tremble. Overall, the etymology of "teeters" suggests a sense of unsteady movement or hesitation.
