The spelling of the phrase "that way" in English is relatively straightforward. The first sound is the voiced dental fricative "ð," which is followed by the short a sound represented by the symbol "æ." The "t" is pronounced as an unvoiced alveolar stop, followed by the long "ei" sound as represented by the symbol "eɪ." Finally, the word ends with the voiced labiodental fricative sound "w." In IPA phonetic transcription, the spelling of "that way" is /ðæt weɪ/.
"That way" is an idiomatic expression commonly used as an adverbial phrase to refer to a particular direction, manner, or situation being discussed or mentioned.
In its basic sense, "that way" denotes a physical direction, indicating a place or target. It can be used to provide explicit guidance or to point out a specific location or route. For instance, if someone asks for directions to a store, one could respond by saying, "Go down the street and turn left, and you'll find it that way."
Moreover, "that way" can also refer to a preferred manner or method of doing something. It implies a way of doing things that is deemed effective, favorable, or desirable. For instance, in a conversation about organizing a party, if one person suggests a plan that entails assigning specific tasks to each attendee, another person might respond by saying, "Oh, I think that way sounds perfect."
Furthermore, "that way" can be employed to allude to a particular situation, outcome, or condition. It can emphasize a specific approach, mindset, or attitude towards an issue or an event. For example, someone might say, "If we continue to work hard and stay focused, success will come our way, just keep going that way."
In summary, "that way" is an adverbial phrase that can denote a direction, a preferred manner, or a specific situation. Its usage depends on the context and can refer to either a physical or metaphorical aspect.
The word "that way" does not have a specific etymology on its own. Instead, it is composed of two separate words: "that" and "way".
"That" originated from the Old English word "þæt", which referred to a thing or a person being indicated, identified, or mentioned. It has roots in the Proto-Germanic language and is related to the Old Saxon, Old High German, and Gothic words with similar meanings.
"Way" comes from the Old English word "weg", which denoted a route or a path from one place to another. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wega" and is related to words in other Germanic languages like Old Norse and Old Frisian.
When combined, "that way" implies a specific direction or manner being referred to.