Pronunciation: [hˈɒt͡ʃ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "hotch" can be confusing due to its non-standard nature. It is pronounced /hɒtʃ/ which means that the "o" is pronounced as a short vowel sound and the "ch" is pronounced as a voiceless postalveolar affricate. The word is commonly used in Scottish English and means to move in a jerky or clumsy manner. Despite its irregular spelling, "hotch" is a valid word that can be used to describe someone's awkward movements.
"Hotch" is a verb that primarily refers to the act of moving or arranging things in a disorganized, hurried, or haphazard manner. It is often used to describe a situation where objects or people are clumsily or hastily arranged without any specific order or neatness. The term can also convey the idea of jostling or bumping into something unintentionally, resulting in a chaotic or unstable arrangement.
Derived from the Middle English word "hotchen," meaning "to shake" or "jolt," "hotch" can describe a person's movement when they are agitated, unstable, or unsteady. It can be used to depict an uncoordinated or jerky action, as well as someone fidgeting or moving restlessly.
Although "hotch" typically relates to the physical movement or arrangement of things, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or concept characterized by disorder, unpredictability, or confusion. For instance, it might be employed to describe a haphazardly assembled argument or a patchwork of ideas without a coherent structure.
In summary, "hotch" is a verb that conveys the notion of arranging or moving things in a messy, uncoordinated, or hurried manner. Its usage might refer to physical arrangements, people's agitated movements, or metaphorical concepts characterized by disorder or disarray.
The word "hotch" has a somewhat ambiguous etymology. It is primarily a dialectal term mainly found in Scotland, Northern England, and Ireland. The word is generally used to mean to "move in a jerky or convulsive way" or to "shove or push".
The etymology of "hotch" is unclear, and scholars have proposed different theories but without conclusive evidence. One theory suggests that it could have originated from Old Norse, where "hakka" means "to hack" or "to chop". Another theory suggests connections with the Middle High German word "hucken", meaning "to hang". It is also possible that it evolved from Irish or Gaelic roots, although there is no concrete evidence to support this.
Due to its regional and dialectal usage, the origins of "hotch" remain somewhat mysterious, and its precise etymology may continue to be a subject of speculation.
