The word "tother" is an old English term meaning "the other". Its spelling may seem odd compared to modern English, but this is because it has been affected by regional dialects. The IPA phonetic transcription for "tother" is /ˈtʌðə/. The symbol "t" represents the initial "t" sound, the "ʌ" represents the "uh" sound, the "ð" represents the voiced "th" sound, and the final "ə" is an unstressed vowel sound. Despite its unusual spelling, "tother" remains in use in some dialects and regional Englishes.
Tother is a colloquial term rooted in British dialects that serves as a contraction for "the other." It is typically used to represent "the other" in a phrase or context. As a dialectal word, its usage is informal and limited to certain regional varieties of English.
The term "tother" is often employed when discussing two distinct items or individuals, where it refers specifically to the one that is not being discussed or mentioned first. It helps to differentiate between the two by attributing a distinct linguistic identity to that which is not the subject of immediate attention. In this way, "tother" functions similarly to pronouns, replacing "the other" with a single, shorter word.
The usage of "tother" can be found in many rural areas across Britain, mainly in Northern England and Scotland. It is also part of certain dialects in Ireland, Wales, and other parts of the United Kingdom. While it is frequently used in everyday conversation in these regions, its usage may be less common in formal writing or Standard English.
In summary, "tother" is a colloquial contraction that represents "the other." It serves to distinguish between two distinct items or individuals and is mainly found in regional British dialects.
Contr. of the other.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Tother" is an abbreviation of the Old English word "tōother", where "tō" means "to" and "other" means "the second of two". It emerged in Middle English as a contraction of "t'other", which means "the other". Over time, the pronunciation changed, and it became "tother". The word is used to refer to the second of two things or people, often in a comparative context.