How Do You Spell MARE'S-NEST?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡əznˈɛst] (IPA)

The spelling of "mare's-nest" is often confusing due to its unusual formation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /mɛərz nɛst/. The word "mare" is spelled with an "e" instead of "a" because it refers to a female horse, not a body of water. The apostrophe in the middle of the word indicates the omission of a letter. Meanwhile, "nest" is spelled normally, indicating that this compound word refers to a nest that a mare might make, which is often thought of as being a messy or disorganized pile.

MARE'S-NEST Meaning and Definition

1. A mare's-nest is an idiomatic phrase describing a situation, concept, or idea that is mistakenly believed or boasted to be extraordinary or significant but ultimately proves to be nonsensical, absurd, or nonexistent. The term is derived from a proverbial belief that a mare, being a female horse, could not bear eggs, hence a nest belonging to a mare would be impossible to exist. Consequently, it metaphorically signifies a notion or claim that is plainly far-fetched or illogical.

   This phrase is often utilized to refer to a convoluted or complex issue that is portrayed as being simple, or to an extraordinary discovery that is either exaggerated or proven to be baseless. By characterizing something as a mare's-nest, one aims to emphasize the foolishness, deception, or misconception associated with that particular matter. It may also be employed to mock someone who confidently asserts something as factual when it is clearly unfounded.

   The expression "mare's-nest" can also allude to a situation that is chaotic, disorderly or confused, much like a nest made by a mare, an animal not known for building nests. In this sense, it emphasizes disorderliness or disarray, primarily arising from human actions or decisions. Overall, the term "mare's-nest" serves to highlight the absurdity, falsehood, or mayhem present in various scenarios or ideas, emphasizing their lack of credibility or validity.

Common Misspellings for MARE'S-NEST

• mares nest
• marees-nest
• mares-neest
• maresnest
• mares-nes
• mare-snest
• mare'spnest
• mare's0-nest
• mare's-0nest
• mare'sp-nest
• mare's-pnest
• mare's--nest
• mare'smnest
• mare's-.est
• mares-neste

Etymology of MARE'S-NEST

The etymology of the word "mare's-nest" can be traced back to the 16th century. The term derives from two words: "mare" and "nest".

"Mare" refers to a female horse, especially a mother of a foal, and historically, it was also used to describe a ghost or evil spirit that was believed to ride on people's chests while they were asleep, causing nightmares. Over time, the term "mare" became associated with confusion, trouble, or discomfort.

"Nest" refers to a structure built by birds to lay their eggs or raise their young. In this context, it represents a place where something is hidden or protected.