The phrase "whole wide world" is commonly misspelled as "whole white world" due to the similar sounding "w" and "wh" sounds. In International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, "whole" is pronounced as /hoʊl/ with an aspirated "h" sound represented by the /h/ symbol. The "wide" is pronounced as /waɪd/ with an unvoiced "w" sound represented by the /w/ symbol. Therefore, the correct spelling of the phrase is "whole wide world," not "whole white world."
The term "whole wide world" refers to the entirety of the Earth and its population. It represents the totality of humanity and all that exists on the planet. The phrase is often employed to emphasize the universality or vastness of a particular subject, action, or concept.
The word "whole" signifies completeness, unity, or entirety, suggesting that the scope being referred to includes everything that is a part of it, leaving nothing out. It denotes an all-encompassing or comprehensive nature. "Wide" conveys breadth, extensive reach or spread, highlighting the expanse of the world and the inclusivity of its inhabitants. Used together, "whole wide" emphasizes not only the completeness and unity of the planet and its inhabitants, but also the extensive expanse and diverse nature of the global community.
This phrase is often used figuratively to express the collective and all-encompassing nature of something, be it love, knowledge, or interest. For example, the expression "I love you with my whole wide world," signifies an immense, unconditional love that encompasses everything in the world. Similarly, saying "he captivated the whole wide world with his talent" implies that his talent was universally admired and appreciated. The usage of "whole wide world" in such instances amplifies the magnitude, impact, or embrace of a particular subject, emphasizing the global scale and significance of its influence or reach.