The spelling of "wild guess" might seem straightforward, but it can be tricky for non-native English speakers. The "w" sound is pronounced as /w/, followed by the long vowel sound of "i" as /aɪ/. The "l" sound is produced as /l/, and the "d" is pronounced as /d/. The second word, "guess," follows the same pattern, with the added /ɛ/ sound for the vowel in "es." So, the proper IPA transcription of "wild guess" would be /waɪld ɡɛs/.
A "wild guess" refers to an uneducated or arbitrary conjecture made regarding a certain situation or question without any substantial evidence or logical reasoning. It is a speculative or hasty assumption that lacks basis or support, often made in the absence of relevant information or deep analysis.
The term "wild" in this phrase implies that the guess is uninhibited, untamed, or reckless, akin to an animal roaming freely in the wilderness without any guidance. The word "guess" suggests a tentative estimate or hypothesis made with limited knowledge or insight, indicating uncertainty or speculation.
A wild guess is typically made when faced with a puzzling or complex problem, or when a person lacks access to sufficient data or understanding of the situation. It is akin to taking a shot in the dark or casting a wide net without specifically aiming at a target.
While a wild guess may occasionally turn out to be correct, it is largely regarded as random or arbitrary, with a low likelihood of accuracy. It is considered a rather informal term used to convey that the person has made a guess without much confidence in its correctness. Wild guesses are often associated with juvenile or playful situations, informal conversations, or situations where an individual lacks the knowledge or expertise to make an informed judgment.
In summary, a wild guess is an unsubstantiated and uncertain conjecture that is not based on reliable evidence or informed reasoning.
The word "wild" dates back to Old English, where it was originally spelled "wilde". It derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wilthijaz", meaning "wild" or "untamed". This word, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root word "weidh-", meaning "forest" or "wild".
On the other hand, the word "guess" has Middle English origins, from the word "gessen", which came from Old Norse "giska". The ultimate source of "giska" is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to the Old English word "gæstan", meaning "to guess or divine".
The phrase "wild guess" combines these two words to convey the idea of an untamed or uncertain speculation or estimation.