Pronunciation: [wˈɛlks] (IPA) 
The word "whelks" is spelled as /wɛlks/. The initial "wh" sound is pronounced like a "hw" sound in some dialects, but the spelling remains the same. The vowel sound in the first syllable is the short "e" as in "set", while the "l" and "ks" sounds are pronounced as usual. "Whelks" refer to large marine snails with spiral shells often used for food. The spelling may seem peculiar, but it is still commonly used and recognized in English.
Whelks are a type of marine gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Buccinidae. These creatures are commonly found in temperate and cold waters along the coasts of Europe and North America. They have a spiral-shaped shell with a pointed apex, typically characterized by ridges and whorls. The shell can grow up to several inches in length, and its color varies from dull grayish to brownish.
Whelks are carnivorous predators, feeding on various prey such as bivalve mollusks, worms, and small crustaceans. They use their muscular foot to crawl along the seabed, while their extensible proboscis is equipped with a sharp, toothed radula to capture and devour their food. Whelks are usually active during the night, venturing out to hunt and scavenge.
In terms of their significance to humans, whelks have long been harvested as food sources in many coastal regions. Their flavorful flesh, which is well-suited for stews, soups, and salads, is often considered a delicacy. Whelks are typically prepared by boiling or steaming, after which the meat can be extracted from the shell and consumed. In addition, their shells are sometimes collected as decorative items or used in crafts.
Overall, whelks are marine gastropods with spiral shells found in coastal waters. They are predatory creatures with a taste for bivalves and other small marine organisms. Additionally, they hold culinary value and have cultural significance due to their meat being consumed as food and their shells being appreciated for their aesthetic quality.
The word "whelks" has an Old English origin. It can be traced back to the Old English word "hwilcan" which means "to turn around" or "to roll". This word later evolved into "whelk", referring to a type of marine snail with a spiral shell. The term has been used to describe various kinds of marine gastropods across different regions.
