The word "unsportsmanlike" is often misspelled, but its pronunciation is easy to remember with the help of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /ʌnˈspɔːtsmənlaɪk/. The first syllable, "un", is pronounced like "uh-n", while "sportsman" is pronounced as "spawrts-muhn". The final "like" is pronounced as "laɪk". This word means not in accordance with the standards of sportsmanship, and is commonly used in sports to describe actions that are considered unfair or unethical. So, next time you need to spell "unsportsmanlike", just remember the IPA pronunciation.
Unsportsmanlike is an adjective that describes behavior or conduct that is not in accordance with fair play, honor, or the principles of sportsmanship. It refers to actions that violate the spirit of friendly competition and show a lack of respect or consideration for opponents or the rules of a sport.
In the context of sports, unsportsmanlike behavior can include acts such as intentionally injuring an opponent, deliberately cheating or using underhanded tactics to gain an unfair advantage, or engaging in excessive trash-talking or taunting. It can also refer to acts that disrupt the flow of the game or demonstrate poor sportsmanship, such as arguing with officials or refusing to accept their decisions.
Unsportsmanlike behavior is generally viewed as unethical and detrimental to the integrity of sports. It undermines the principles of fair play, mutual respect, and having fun while engaging in physical competition. Such actions are often subject to penalties, fines, or other disciplinary measures in order to promote a healthy and respectful environment in sports.
Beyond the world of sports, the term unsportsmanlike can extend to describe behavior in other areas of life that is similarly dishonorable, dishonest, or lacking in moral character. In these contexts, it generally implies actions that are considered unethical, unfair, or disrespectful towards others.
* 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 "unsportsmanlike" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" meaning not, and the noun "sportsman". The term "sportsman" originally referred to a person who engaged in sports, games, or athletic activities with a sense of fair play, moral conduct, and adherence to the rules.
The word "sportsman" dates back to the 18th century and is formed from the combination of "sport" (meaning a pleasant pastime or recreation) and the suffix "-man" denoting a person associated with or engaged in a particular activity.
As for the term "unsportsmanlike", it emerged in the mid-19th century to describe conduct or behavior that goes against the spirit of fair play, integrity, or honorable conduct expected in sports or games.