Pronunciation: [wˈe͡ɪdɪŋ θɹˈuː] (IPA) 
The phrase "wading through" is spelled as /weɪdɪŋ θruː/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "w" is pronounced as /w/ and the "a" in "wading" is pronounced as /eɪ/. The "d" and "i" are pronounced as /d/ and /ɪ/, respectively. The "n" sound in "through" is represented by the silent "gh" and the "th" sound is pronounced as /θ/. Together, the phrase conveys the image of someone struggling through water or other obstacles.
Wading through is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of navigating through or progressing slowly and with difficulty through a mass of something, typically in a physical sense. It commonly describes the act of moving through water or other liquids that are not deep enough to swim in but require a person to walk slowly and carefully.
In a figurative sense, wading through can also be used to describe the process of dealing with or going through a large amount of information, tasks, or problems, often with a sense of laboriousness or struggle. It denotes the act of sifting through, sorting out, or making one's way through a complex or overwhelming situation, such as a substantial amount of paperwork or an extensive list of emails.
When wading through something, one typically experiences a sense of slowness, due to the need to carefully navigate or analyze the material at hand. It often implies a sense of being overwhelmed or burdened by the sheer volume or complexity of the task, but also implies determination and persistence in continuing to progress.
Overall, wading through conveys the idea of tedious and cautious progress through challenging and demanding circumstances, whether in a physical or metaphorical sense.
The etymology of the phrase "wading through" can be understood by examining the origins of its constituent words: "wading" and "through".
1. Wading: This word comes from the Middle English term "waden", which originated from the Old English "wadan". Both "waden" and "wadan" meant "to go through water on foot or while partially immersed". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root *wadaną, which had a similar meaning. The verb "wade" has retained its original sense of walking through water, especially when the water is not too deep.
2. Through: The word "through" has Anglo-Saxon origins and can be traced back to the Old English word "þurh" (pronounced "thoorh").
