The spelling of the word "yocum" is quite unusual and can be confusing. It is pronounced as /ˈjoʊkəm/ and is believed to have originated from a German surname. The "y" is used to represent the "j" sound, as in "yellow", while the "o" has a long "o" sound, as in "boat". The final "-cum" is pronounced as "kum" and is similar to the word "come". Despite its unusual spelling, the word "yocum" is still used as a surname and a place name in some parts of the United States.