Pronunciation: [θˈʌɡ] (IPA) 
The word "thug" is commonly spelled with the letters T-H-U-G. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /θʌɡ/, with the "th" being pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative, which is the same sound as in the word "think". The "u" sound is pronounced as a short vowel like the "u" in "sun". The "g" is pronounced as a voiced velar stop, like the "g" in "go". Overall, the word "thug" has a sharp, hard sound when pronounced.
Thug is a noun that refers to a violent, criminal individual who engages in acts of aggression, intimidation, or brutality, typically using physical force. The term is often associated with street gangs or criminal organizations. A thug is characterized by their ruthless behavior, lack of empathy, and readiness to use violence to exert control or achieve their objectives.
Historically, the term "thug" originated in India during the 19th century, referring to members of a secret criminal society known as the Thuggee cult. These members were notorious for their ritualistic killings and robberies, targeting travelers on remote roads.
In a contemporary context, the term has evolved to apply to any person who abuses their physical or social power to exploit or harm others. Thugs are often involved in activities such as drug trafficking, armed robbery, assault, or organized crime. Their behavior typically exhibits a disregard for the law and societal norms.
The term "thug" has also become a derogatory slang term used to demean individuals who engage in violent behavior or who are perceived as uncivilized or aggressive. However, it is important to exercise caution when using such terms, as they can perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce prejudices.
In India, one of an association of robbers and murderers.
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 "thug" originated from India in the early 19th century and has its roots in the Hindi word "thag", meaning a cheat or swindler. The term was used to describe a group of criminals known as "Thuggee", who were active in India from the 13th to the 19th century. These Thugs were organized into a secret cult and would deceive and rob unsuspecting travelers, often killing them in the process. The British colonialists encountered and suppressed the Thugs in the 19th century, leading to the expansion of the term "thug" into English as a more general descriptor for a violent criminal or hoodlum.
