How Do You Spell WHATS COOKING?

Pronunciation: [wˌɒts kˈʊkɪŋ] (IPA)

The phrase "what's cooking" is an idiom that often refers to asking what is happening or being planned. The spelling of this phrase is relatively straightforward, with the initial "wh" being pronounced as an aspirated voiceless labialized velar stop /w/ followed by the vowel sound /ɑ/ as in "father," and the ending consonant sounds being a voiceless alveolar stop /t/ and a voiced velar nasal /ŋ/. So the IPA phonetic transcription for the phrase would be /wʌts ˈkʊkɪŋ/.

WHATS COOKING Meaning and Definition

  1. "What's cooking" is a colloquial phrase commonly used in informal conversations to inquire about or express curiosity towards current or upcoming events or activities. It is often employed to seek information about someone's plans, projects, or developments in a lighthearted manner.

    The phrase is derived from the culinary field, where "cooking" refers to the act of preparing food. Metaphorically, "what's cooking" extends this notion to activities or projects other than cooking, inquiring about what is happening or being prepared within a particular context.

    The phrase is primarily used in informal settings, such as among friends, colleagues, or family members. It is often employed as a conversational opener, inviting the other person to share updates about their life or any significant projects they may be working on. Its informal nature creates an atmosphere of friendliness and ease, allowing individuals to engage in light-hearted conversation.

    Overall, "what's cooking" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about someone's current or upcoming plans, activities, or developments. Its linguistic origins in the culinary world have expanded its meaning to include a variety of non-culinary contexts, making it a popular phrase in everyday conversations.

Common Misspellings for WHATS COOKING

  • what's cookihng
  • qhats cooking
  • ahats cooking
  • shats cooking
  • ehats cooking
  • 3hats cooking
  • 2hats cooking
  • wgats cooking
  • wbats cooking
  • wnats cooking
  • wjats cooking
  • wuats cooking
  • wyats cooking
  • whzts cooking
  • whsts cooking
  • whwts cooking
  • whqts cooking
  • whars cooking
  • whafs cooking
  • whags cooking

Etymology of WHATS COOKING

The phrase "what's cooking" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the United States during the early 1900s. It is derived from the culinary sense of the word "cooking", which refers to the process of preparing food.

The word "what's" is a contraction of "what is", and "cooking" here is used metaphorically to mean "happening" or "going on". Thus, the phrase "what's cooking" is used to inquire about what is happening or being planned by someone.

The etymology of this phrase is closely related to the act of cooking as a central aspect of daily life, where it serves as a metaphor for activities, plans, or anything that is "in progress". Consequently, "what's cooking" evolved to become a way of asking about someone's plans, upcoming events, or any interesting things they might be involved in.