Pronunciation: [ðˈə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "tho" can be confusing because it is a shortened version of the word "though". In IPA phonetic transcription, "th" is pronounced /θ/, similar to "thick" or "thin". "O" is pronounced /əʊ/, like in "go" or "so". Therefore, "tho" sounds like /ðəʊ/ or "though" without the "ugh" sound. This informal spelling is commonly used in text messages and online communication, but it is not recommended for formal writing.
Tho is a slang term derived from the word "though" and is predominantly used in informal written language. It is primarily employed as a colloquial abbreviation and is commonly found in social media posts, text messages, and online conversational platforms.
Despite its truncated nature, tho serves a similar purpose to its complete counterpart, "though." It functions as a conjunction or adverb to introduce a contrasting statement or to add a reservation or concession to the previous statement. This versatile term can be used to convey a range of meanings depending on the context.
The main usage of "tho" is to express a contrast or contradiction in a concise and informal manner. It is frequently employed to emphasize an unexpected outcome or result following a prior statement. For example, "I studied hard for the exam, but I failed tho" illustrates the use of "tho" to introduce an unexpected consequence.
Additionally, tho can also be employed to add a reservation or a slight hesitancy to a statement. It conveys a sense of uncertainty or qualification to the preceding idea. For instance, "I love traveling, but it can be tiring tho" showcases the use of "tho" to add a slight reservation to the statement.
In summary, tho is an abbreviated slang term derived from "though" used primarily in informal written language. It functions as a conjunction or adverb to introduce a contrasting statement or to add a reservation or concession to the previous statement.
A contr. of though.
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 "tho" is an informal spelling variant of the word "though". It originated as an abbreviation or contraction to mimic the way "though" is commonly pronounced in casual speech. The use of "tho" primarily emerged in written language in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly in informal online communication and social media platforms. However, it is important to note that "tho" is still considered non-standard and is generally not used in formal writing.
