There are 7,180,000 search results on Bing for the misspelling 'Wat'. 'Wat' ranks in the top 170 of most common errors caught by TripleChecker, with at least 28 websites containing this mistake.¹
The word "what" can function as an interrogative pronoun, a determiner, and a pronoun in different contexts. It is used to ask for information about something or to specify a particular thing or things. The definition of "what" typically refers to a question about the identity, nature, or value of an object, idea, or action.
What
The word "what" originates from Old English "hwæt," which is related to the Proto-Germanic "*hwāt," and ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*kʲwo-," meaning "who" or "what."
The word "what" is pronounced /wɒt/ in British English and /wɑt/ in American English. It typically rhymes with "lot" and has a short vowel sound.
The word 'what' can be used in various contexts, such as in questions ("What is your name?") or as a determiner ("I cannot believe what happened."). When using 'what,' it is important to ensure that it is correctly spelled and appropriately placed to avoid confusion; for example, using 'what' at the beginning of a sentence typically indicates a question, while in the middle it may serve to specify or clarify. Additionally, be mindful of contractions involving 'what,' as they can alter the word's meaning and function within the sentence.