Pronunciation: [jˈə͡ʊks] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "yokes" can be a bit tricky, as the combination of the letters "yo" and "ke" can cause confusion for some. The correct pronunciation of "yokes" is /jəʊks/, with the "o" pronounced as a diphthong with the sound of "oh" and "uh" combined. The "k" sound is followed by a silent "e". This spelling may seem unusual, but it follows the typical English pattern of complicating vowel sounds with silent letters.
Yokes can be used as a noun or a verb, each with slightly different meanings. As a noun, "yokes" refers to a device made of wood, metal, or leather that is used to harness animals together for pulling heavy loads, commonly seen on oxen or horses. This tool consists of a bar or frame that is placed across the neck or shoulders of two animals, allowing them to work in tandem and evenly distribute the weight of the load. Yokes are typically fastened by a strap or collar, ensuring the animals remain connected while pulling the load.
As a verb, "yokes" can refer to the act of attaching or harnessing animals using a yoke. In this context, it means to place a yoke around the neck or shoulders of one or more animals in order to control their movement and guide them in pulling or plowing tasks.
Beyond its literal meaning, "yokes" can also have metaphorical connotations. It can be used to describe a state of oppression, burden, or subjugation, similar to the weight and control exerted on animals through a physical yoke. It symbolizes being constrained, restricted, or restrained by external forces or circumstances, often in relation to societal or political contexts. Additionally, "yokes" can be utilized colloquially to describe pairing, coupling, or uniting two things or entities together for a common purpose or objective.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "yokes" has multiple etymological origins depending on its context. Here are two possible origins of the word:
1. From Old English: The word "yokes" originates from Old English "geoc", which means a wooden frame or harness placed around the neck of oxen or other draft animals to enable them to pull heavy loads. This Old English term is related to the Gothic "juk" and Old Norse "jok", which have the same meaning.
2. From Proto-Indo-European: Another possible origin is from the Proto-Indo-European root "*yeug-", which means "to join". This root has given rise to several related words in different languages, including the Latin "iugum" (yoke) and the Greek "zygos" (yoke).
