Why does apricot contradict English phonics?

The word "apricot" appears to contradict English phonics because the "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as /æ/ (as in "cat"), not /eɪ/ (as in "say"). This is because the word originates from a non-English language.

Here's why:

* Origin: The word "apricot" comes from the Greek word "praikókkion," which entered English via French.

* Sound Changes: Over time, the pronunciation shifted from /praɪˈkɒkiɒn/ to /ˈæprɪkɒt/. The initial "p" was lost, and the "ai" sound changed to /æ/.

* Phonics and Etymology: English phonics rules are largely based on the sounds that are common in English. Words that have been borrowed from other languages often have their own unique pronunciation rules.

Therefore, the pronunciation of "apricot" doesn't follow standard English phonics rules because it's a borrowed word with a different phonetic history.