Pronunciation: [kˈɒɡd] (IPA) 
The word "cogged" is spelled with two 'g's, which represent two separate speech sounds, /ɡ/ and /dʒ/. The first 'g' is pronounced as a voiced velar stop, similar to the sound at the beginning of the word "go" /ɡoʊ/. The second 'g' is pronounced as a voiced palatal affricate, similar to the sound at the beginning of the word "junk" /dʒʌŋk/. When pronounced together, these two sounds create the unique pronunciation of "cogged" /kɒɡdʒd/.
The term "cogged" refers to something that has been deceitfully or dishonestly altered or manipulated in order to achieve a particular outcome or advantage. It is usually used to describe a situation or action where someone has unfairly tampered with a process or system to benefit themselves or their own interests.
The word "cogged" can be traced back to its origin as a verb "cog" which refers to the act of manipulating or altering something to one's advantage. When used in the past tense form, "cogged" becomes an adjective that describes the state of being duplicitously modified.
For example, in a competitive sports event, if a player intentionally tampers with the equipment to enhance their performance, their actions can be described as cogged. Similarly, in politics, if someone dishonestly modifies election rules or exploits loopholes in order to gain an unfair advantage, their behavior can also be referred to as cogged.
The term "cogged" conveys a sense of manipulation, trickery, and dishonesty. It suggests that a level playing field has been compromised in favor of someone's personal gain. It is often used to highlight instances of unfair practices and unethical behavior, emphasizing the importance of fairness, integrity, and transparency in various domains of human activity.
The term "cogged" is derived from the verb "cog", which has its roots in Middle English and ultimately comes from Old Norse. In Old Norse, "kugga" meant "to engage with the teeth". This sense of teeth engagement was later applied to the turning mechanism in machinery, resulting in the term "cog". The past participle of the verb "cog" — "cogged" — refers to something that has been outfitted or manipulated with cogs, typically to deceive or cheat someone, as in the phrase "cogged dice". Over time, "cogged" has also come to be used metaphorically to describe any situation that involves fraud, deception, or dishonesty.
