How Do You Spell ROTTEN TOMATOES?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈɒtən təmˈɑːtə͡ʊz] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the phrase "rotten tomatoes" includes a double 't' in both "rotten" and "tomatoes." This is because the vowel sound represented by the letter 'o' in both words is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɒ/ in British English or /ɑ/ in American English. The double 't' helps to indicate that the preceding vowel should be pronounced with a short sound. The word "rotten" is pronounced as /ˈrɒtən/ in British English and /ˈrɑtən/ in American English, while "tomatoes" is pronounced as /təˈmeɪtəʊz/ in British English and /təˈmeɪtoʊz/ in American English.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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ROTTEN TOMATOES Meaning and Definition

  1. Rotten Tomatoes is a phrase often used to refer to the Rotten Tomatoes website, which is an online review aggregator specializing in film and television content. The term "rotten tomatoes" derives from the metaphorical concept of a tomato rotting and implies a negative connotation.

    Rotten Tomatoes collects and summarizes reviews from professional film critics to create an aggregate score for movies and TV shows. This score, displayed as a percentage, indicates the percentage of critics who gave the content a positive review. Films or TV shows with a high percentage are considered "fresh," while those with a low percentage are often referred to as "rotten."

    The website has become widely recognized and influential in the entertainment industry, frequently cited as a reference point for evaluating the critical reception of a particular film or television program. Rotten Tomatoes' aggregate scores are used by viewers to make informed decisions about what to watch, and they often spark discussions and debates among film enthusiasts.

    While the term "rotten tomatoes" is primarily associated with the Rotten Tomatoes website, it can also be used colloquially to describe something that is generally of poor quality or received negatively by critics or the general public. In this sense, it is a metaphorical way of expressing disappointment or disapproval towards a particular work or product.

Etymology of ROTTEN TOMATOES

The term "rotten tomatoes" originates from the practice of throwing rotten tomatoes at a performer or a play to show disapproval. It is believed to have started in the late 17th or early 18th century. The term "tomatoes" refers to the fruit that would naturally become rotten over time. The tradition of throwing tomatoes might have originated in Europe and was a common way for audiences to express their dissatisfaction with a performance. Over time, the phrase "rotten tomatoes" came to symbolize criticism or negative reviews. It is important to note that although the term "rotten tomatoes" is commonly associated with the movie review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the website itself was not named after this phrase but rather in reference to the idea of movies becoming "rotten" over time.