How Do You Spell SPITTING IMAGE?

Pronunciation: [spˈɪtɪŋ ˈɪmɪd͡ʒ] (IPA)

The phrase "spitting image" is commonly used to describe someone who closely resembles another person. The spelling of the word "spitting" may seem confusing, but it is actually quite simple when broken down phonetically. The "sp" is pronounced as a voiceless bilabial stop, while the "i" sound is a short vowel pronounced as /ɪ/. The double "t" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar stop, and the "ing" is pronounced as /ɪŋ/. The correct spelling is "spitting image", not "splitting image".

SPITTING IMAGE Meaning and Definition

1. The term "spitting image" refers to a colloquial expression used to describe someone who closely resembles another person, typically in terms of physical appearance. It suggests an uncanny similarity or likeness between the two individuals, often implying a remarkable duplication or replication. The phrase originated from an earlier 17th-century English idiom "spit and image," derived from the word "spit" meaning an exact likeness or image and "image" representing a visual representation of someone or something.

   When one is described as the "spitting image" of another, it signifies a striking resemblance, almost as if they were identical twins or mirror images of each other. This likeness can encompass facial features, body structure, demeanor, or even specific characteristics, which may be inherited or acquired through environmental factors. The phrase is frequently used to highlight the resemblance between family members, often parents and their children, or siblings who possess remarkably similar traits.

   The term "spitting image" carries a sense of astonishment and marvel, suggesting an extraordinary likeness that may even leave others bewildered or amazed. It emphasizes the observable similarities between the two individuals and emphasizes their undeniable resemblance. While its origin is related to an earlier idiom, the phrase "spitting image" has become a widely recognized expression, used both informally in everyday conversation and in popular media to depict striking physical similarities between two people.

Common Misspellings for SPITTING IMAGE

• apitting image
• zpitting image
• xpitting image
• dpitting image
• epitting image
• wpitting image
• soitting image
• slitting image
• s-itting image
• s0itting image
• sputting image
• spjtting image
• spktting image
• spotting image
• sp9tting image
• sp8tting image
• spirting image
• spifting image
• spigting image

Etymology of SPITTING IMAGE

The phrase "spitting image" is an idiom that means a near-perfect resemblance or likeness to someone. It comes from the expression "the very spit or image of" which dates back to at least the 19th century.

The term "spit" in this context refers to a likeness or exact copy. It originates from the Middle English word "spitten" or "spetien", which means to eject saliva forcefully. In this sense, "spit" represented something that is swiftly emitted or expelled.

The word "image" refers to a representation or likeness of a person or thing. It derives from the Latin word "imago", meaning a copy or imitation.

Over time, the phrase "the very spit or image of" has evolved, and the conjunction "or" was eventually dropped, giving rise to the term "spitting image". Today, it is commonly used to emphasize a strong resemblance between two individuals.

Idioms with the word SPITTING IMAGE

• be the spitting image of (someone) The idiom "be the spitting image of (someone)" means to strongly resemble or closely resemble someone in terms of physical appearance. It is used to highlight a striking similarity between two people, often indicating a strong familial resemblance.
• the spitting image The idiom "the spitting image" refers to a person who closely resembles someone else, usually a parent, sibling, or relative, in terms of physical appearance or certain characteristics. It implies a strong resemblance as if the two individuals were "spat out" from the same mold or were exact duplicates.
• be the spit (and image) of sb, at be the spitting image of sb The idiom "be the spit (and image) of sb" or "be the spitting image of sb" is used to describe a person who closely resembles another person, usually in terms of physical appearance. It suggests that the person being referred to looks so similar to another person that it is as if they were "spat out" or "spit" from the same image or mold. It emphasizes the strong resemblance between two individuals.
• be the spitting image of sb The idiom "be the spitting image of sb" means that someone closely resembles or strongly resembles another person, usually a family member or relative. It is used to describe a strikingly similar physical appearance between two individuals.
• the spitting image of (someone) The idiom "the spitting image of (someone)" is used to describe someone who closely resembles another person, often in physical appearance or in certain characteristics. It indicates a strong similarity or close resemblance between two individuals.
• spitting image "Spitting image" is an idiom that refers to a person or thing that closely resembles someone or something else, usually in appearance or behavior.

Similar spelling words for SPITTING IMAGE

• spitting cobra,
• spitting snake,
• spatangoida.

Plural form of SPITTING IMAGE is SPITTING IMAGES