The spelling of the word "underporter" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The "un" prefix is pronounced as "ʌn," while "der" is pronounced as "də." "Por" is pronounced as "pɔ," and "ter" is pronounced as "tər." When combined, the word becomes "ʌndərpɔrtər," which is pronounced as "uhn-duh-r-pawr-tuhr." The word refers to a person who is responsible for carrying goods or luggage beneath a ship's deck.