The spelling of the word "pauley" can be confusing as there are multiple ways to pronounce it. According to the IPA phonetic transcription, the most common pronunciation is /ˈpɔːli/, with a long "o" sound and emphasis on the first syllable. However, some people pronounce it with a short "o" sound, as /ˈpɒli/. The spelling itself does not clarify the pronunciation, making it important to hear the word in context to determine its correct pronunciation.