Pronunciation: [fˈɛl tə lˈɒt] (IPA) 
The phrase "fell to lot," meaning to be assigned by chance, is spelled with the short "e" sound (/ɛ/) in "fell" and the long "o" sound (/oʊ/) in "lot." The letter "e" in "fell" represents the short "e" sound, while the letter "o" in "lot" is followed by the letter "t," creating the long "o" sound. This combination of vowel sounds creates a melodic cadence in the phrase "fell to lot," which aids in its memorability.
"Fell to lot" is an idiomatic expression that originated from the Middle Ages and has its roots in medieval customs and traditions. It refers to the process of making a random or chance selection or allocation, especially when deciding or determining an outcome, assigning tasks, distributing resources, or settling disputes.
The phrase "fell to lot" can be understood as an action entailing the use of lots or ballots to make an impartial decision. Lots were often small objects, pieces of paper, or tokens with markings or names that were drawn or cast at random, thus relying on chance. This method was employed to ensure fairness and prevent bias or favoritism.
In contemporary usage, "fell to lot" is often employed figuratively to describe situations where individuals or groups are designated or assigned something by chance rather than by choice or merit. It implies that the outcome or allocation is not influenced by personal preferences, but rather by a random or objective mechanism.
For example, if two individuals are competing for a position and the decision on who gets the job "falls to lot," it means that they are equally qualified, and the selection will be made randomly, perhaps through a draw or lottery system. Similarly, if resources are limited and individuals or groups vie for them, the allocation may "fall to lot" to ensure fairness in their distribution.
