What is this famous example of the absurdity of English spelling?

Solution 1:

Ghoti (/fɪʃ/)

This fallacy arises from the incorrect application of the rules linking orthography to phonology¹, resulting in an argument that 'ghoti' should be pronounced similarly to 'fish':

gh, pronounced [f] as in enough [ɪˈnʌf] or tough [tʌf];

o, pronounced [ɪ] as in women [ˈwɪmɪn]; and

ti, pronounced [ʃ] as in nation [ˈneɪ̯ʃən] or motion [ˈməʊʃən].

_{This is not a definitive list.}

Key to the phenomenon is that the pronunciations of the constructed word's three parts are inconsistent with how they would be pronounced in those placements. To illustrate: gh can only resemble f when following the letters ou / au at the end of certain morphemes ("cough", "laugh"), while ti can only resemble sh when followed by the letters -on / -al ("confidential", "spatial") etc.

Also of interest is that at the time (around mid-1800s) many persons were intrigued with the 'Phonotypy and Phonography' of English, with Alexander J. Ellis presenting a number of absurd respellings, like turning scissors into 'schiesourrhce' by combining parts of schism, sieve, as, honour, myrrh and sacrifice. (Sacrifice was historically pronounced with a [z])

Source: Wikipedia, NY Times

¹ Thanks to Azor-Ahai for confirming this. I originally thought it was an error with phonemes.

Solution 2:

Another is ghoughphtheightteeau, which is pronounced potato.

Spacing it out: gh ough phth eigh tte eau

• gh for P as in Hiccough
• ough for O as in Dough
• phth for T as in Phthisis
• eigh for A as in Neighbour
• tte for T as in Gazette
• eau for O as in Plateau

Source: http://www.etni.org.il/farside/potato.htm

Solution 3:

"Ghoti" is typically attributed to George Bernard Shaw, the 'relatively well known author' (I am sure he would have objected to the "relatively"!). Wikipedia says:

The first confirmed use of the word is in a letter from Charles Ollier to Leigh Hunt. On the third page of that letter, dated 11 December 1855, Ollier explains, "My Son William has hit upon a new method of spelling 'Fish'." Ollier then demonstrates that "Ghoti is Fish.

An early known published reference dates to 1874, citing the above letter. The letter credits ghoti to William Ollier Jr. (born 1824). Ghoti is often cited to support the English spelling reform, and is often attributed to George Bernard Shaw, a supporter of this cause. However, the word does not appear in Shaw's writings, and a biography of Shaw attributes it instead to an anonymous spelling reformer.