Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊl mˈɛs] (IPA) 
The phrase "whole mess" is typically spelled as such, with "whole" being spelled /hoʊl/ and "mess" spelled /mɛs/. The "o" in "whole" is pronounced as a diphthong, with the mouth moving from an "o" sound to an "oo" sound. "Mess" is spelled with a short "e" sound, followed by an "s" sound. Together, the phrase "whole mess" refers to a complete and often chaotic situation or collection of things.
The term "whole mess" refers to a large and disorganized collection or quantity of something. It is primarily used to describe a situation or a group of items that is chaotic, jumbled, or complicated. The adjective "whole" emphasizes the entirety or completeness of the mess, indicating that it is not just a small or isolated problem, but rather a substantial and extensive one.
The word "mess" itself conveys a sense of disorder, untidiness, or confusion. Therefore, when combined with "whole," it intensifies the level of disarray or tumultuousness in a given circumstance. It suggests a state where things are in disarray or dysfunction and may be difficult to comprehend or solve due to their vastness or intricacy.
The phrase "whole mess" is often used colloquially to describe a variety of situations, ranging from everyday inconveniences to more serious and complex predicaments. For example, it could pertain to a cluttered room, a tangled web of personal or professional issues, or a convoluted political or social scenario.
Overall, "whole mess" is an idiomatic expression that denotes a significant assemblage or condition marked by chaos, clutter, or turmoil. It captures the sense of disorder in a comprehensive or all-encompassing manner, illustrating the extensive extent and complexity of the situation at hand.
The word "whole mess" is a colloquial expression that combines the words "whole" and "mess" to convey an abundance or large quantity of something.
The word "whole" originated from the Old English word "hāl", which meant "entire" or "complete". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "halaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root *"sol-", meaning "whole" or "healthy".
The word "mess" comes from Middle English, borrowed from Old French "mes", which referred to a portion of food put on the table. Its origin is uncertain, but it might have evolved from the Latin word "missus", meaning "portion" or "course of a meal".
When combined, "whole mess" emphasizes the abundance or completeness of a messy or complicated situation, often used in informal speech or writing.
