The phrase "wakes dead" is often misspelled as "wax dead". The correct spelling can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. "Wakes" is pronounced as /weɪks/ with a long "a" sound and a "k" sound at the end. "Dead" is pronounced as /dɛd/ with a short "e" sound and a "d" sound at the end. Therefore, the correct spelling of the phrase is "wakes dead", not "wax dead".
Wakes dead is not an established phrase or word with a specific etymology. It seems to be a combination of the words wakes and dead, but the intention or context behind this phrase is unclear. Wakes typically refer to gatherings or observances held before or after a funeral to honor the deceased, while dead obviously refers to someone who has passed away. However, without more information or context, it is difficult to determine a precise meaning or origin for the phrase wakes dead.