The correct spelling of the phrase "wert offing" is actually "were t'offing." This phrase is a nautical term used to describe a ship's distance from shore. The IPA phonetic transcription is /wər tɒfɪŋ/. The "w" is pronounced as /w/, the "er" is pronounced as /ər/, the shortened "t" sound is represented by the apostrophe, and "offing" is pronounced as /ɒfɪŋ/. It is important to use the correct spelling and pronunciation in order to properly communicate with others in the nautical industry.
The phrase "wert offing" does not have a specific etymology as it is an incorrect spelling or misinterpretation of the phrase "were it offing". However, to analyze its components:
"were" is the archaic second-person singular past tense of "be", indicating a hypothetical or conditional situation.
"it" is the pronoun referring to an unspecified object or situation.
"offing" is a noun derived from the Old English term "ofen" or "Ofen", which means the part of the sea visible from the shore, more specifically the part beyond the anchoring ground. It has also been used to refer to a distant or approaching ship.
When combined, "were it offing" typically means "if it were in sight" or "if it were approaching".