timothy @timothy@qoto.org

Alright, it's time to toot!

There is much playful banter about the various meanings of the word #toot. Let's consider what that sound could mean in the #ThaiLanguage #ภาษาไทย

I found four words which could reasonably be represented by the sound 'toot' although the last one on this list is obsolete. My favorite is the second one ตุ๊ด which is a slang word supposedly inspired by the 1982 movie 'Tootsie'. It's not recommended for use in general polite conversation, though.

ตูด (pronunciation: /tuːt̚˨˩/ ) buttocks, rear, rump

ตุ๊ด (pronunciation: /tut̚˦˥/ ) ladyboy, effeminate gay man, transvestite

ทูต (pronunciation: /tʰuːt̚˥˩/ ) ambassador, diplomat, attaché

Obsolete:
ทุด (pronunciation: /tʰut̚˦˥/ ) an interjection indicating annoyance or disapproval
_________
Pronunciation notes:
The first two words differ from the others in the initial 't' sound: ตูด and ตุ๊ด have an unaspirated 't', the difference between /t/ and /tʰ/. The little 'h' signifies aspiration, a small puff of air.

The first and third words differ from the others in the length of the 'u' vowel, short /u/ vs. long /uː/.

The symbols at the end of the pronunciations represent the tone of a syllable; ตูด has a low tone, ตุ๊ด has a high tone, ทูต has a falling tone