What is the term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing?












16














What is the term when, in writing, a word is incorrectly replaced by a similar sounding word?



I think this occurs more commonly with popular phrases where the writer has only heard the word being used in speech, and hasn't seen it in text.



Some examples:




  • Things took a turn for the worst - where it should be worse

  • These events are unpresidented - where it should be unprecedented


I think this is a different issue than misspelling, because the writer is unaware of the proper use of the word they have written, even if they have spelled it correctly.



The most relevant term I have seen is misword, but according to the Merriam-Webster, it is for a word that is "wrongly spoken" not written.



EDIT: This also includes words that are similar sounding, but not homophones.



EDIT2: Using the wrong word when writing, not in conversation










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 22 '18 at 22:34










  • @Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
    – dexgecko
    Jul 23 '18 at 2:12






  • 1




    Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
    – 1006a
    Jul 23 '18 at 15:55










  • @GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
    – lly
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:24










  • It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
    – Gary Botnovcan
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:43
















16














What is the term when, in writing, a word is incorrectly replaced by a similar sounding word?



I think this occurs more commonly with popular phrases where the writer has only heard the word being used in speech, and hasn't seen it in text.



Some examples:




  • Things took a turn for the worst - where it should be worse

  • These events are unpresidented - where it should be unprecedented


I think this is a different issue than misspelling, because the writer is unaware of the proper use of the word they have written, even if they have spelled it correctly.



The most relevant term I have seen is misword, but according to the Merriam-Webster, it is for a word that is "wrongly spoken" not written.



EDIT: This also includes words that are similar sounding, but not homophones.



EDIT2: Using the wrong word when writing, not in conversation










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 22 '18 at 22:34










  • @Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
    – dexgecko
    Jul 23 '18 at 2:12






  • 1




    Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
    – 1006a
    Jul 23 '18 at 15:55










  • @GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
    – lly
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:24










  • It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
    – Gary Botnovcan
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:43














16












16








16


2





What is the term when, in writing, a word is incorrectly replaced by a similar sounding word?



I think this occurs more commonly with popular phrases where the writer has only heard the word being used in speech, and hasn't seen it in text.



Some examples:




  • Things took a turn for the worst - where it should be worse

  • These events are unpresidented - where it should be unprecedented


I think this is a different issue than misspelling, because the writer is unaware of the proper use of the word they have written, even if they have spelled it correctly.



The most relevant term I have seen is misword, but according to the Merriam-Webster, it is for a word that is "wrongly spoken" not written.



EDIT: This also includes words that are similar sounding, but not homophones.



EDIT2: Using the wrong word when writing, not in conversation










share|improve this question















What is the term when, in writing, a word is incorrectly replaced by a similar sounding word?



I think this occurs more commonly with popular phrases where the writer has only heard the word being used in speech, and hasn't seen it in text.



Some examples:




  • Things took a turn for the worst - where it should be worse

  • These events are unpresidented - where it should be unprecedented


I think this is a different issue than misspelling, because the writer is unaware of the proper use of the word they have written, even if they have spelled it correctly.



The most relevant term I have seen is misword, but according to the Merriam-Webster, it is for a word that is "wrongly spoken" not written.



EDIT: This also includes words that are similar sounding, but not homophones.



EDIT2: Using the wrong word when writing, not in conversation







terminology eggcorn






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 27 mins ago









Chappo

2,61841225




2,61841225










asked Jul 22 '18 at 20:33









dexgeckodexgecko

18217




18217








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 22 '18 at 22:34










  • @Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
    – dexgecko
    Jul 23 '18 at 2:12






  • 1




    Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
    – 1006a
    Jul 23 '18 at 15:55










  • @GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
    – lly
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:24










  • It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
    – Gary Botnovcan
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:43














  • 1




    Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 22 '18 at 22:34










  • @Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
    – dexgecko
    Jul 23 '18 at 2:12






  • 1




    Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
    – 1006a
    Jul 23 '18 at 15:55










  • @GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
    – lly
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:24










  • It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
    – Gary Botnovcan
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:43








1




1




Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
– Mari-Lou A
Jul 22 '18 at 22:34




Possible duplicate of Is there a term/word for using an incorrect homophone
– Mari-Lou A
Jul 22 '18 at 22:34












@Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
– dexgecko
Jul 23 '18 at 2:12




@Mari-LouA - That question is very similar. The answers are correct, but the question itself is limited to homophones, which isn't the case here. The question is also poorly worded.
– dexgecko
Jul 23 '18 at 2:12




1




1




Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
– 1006a
Jul 23 '18 at 15:55




Possible duplicate of The word or term for inserting the wrong word into conversation
– 1006a
Jul 23 '18 at 15:55












@GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
– lly
Jul 23 '18 at 16:24




@GaryBotnovcan It is 'worse' but you're right that it's a fairly bad example here since it works just as well in its rephrasing (target versus direction).
– lly
Jul 23 '18 at 16:24












It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
– Gary Botnovcan
Jul 23 '18 at 16:43




It's "worse" when limited to two options, of course. "Worst" makes sense when things can turn several ways. Please don't mistake the uncommon for the nonsensical, @lly.
– Gary Botnovcan
Jul 23 '18 at 16:43










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















33














There are at least four term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing, each with somewhat overlapping application, depending on the exact situation.



oronym



A pair of phrases which are homophonic. Examples:




  • "I scream" instead of "ice cream";

  • "four candles" instead of "fork handles".


eggcorn



"An idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical [which] introduces a meaning that is different from the original but plausible in the same context" [my emphasis]. Examples:




  • "eggcorn" instead of "acorn" [hence the origin of the term];

  • "old-timers' disease" instead of "Alzheimer's disease";

  • "preying mantis" instead of "praying mantis";

  • "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and
    purposes"; and my favourite...

  • "mating name" instead of "maiden name".


mondegreen



"A mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning." The subtle distinction between a mondegreen and an eggcorn is that an eggcorn is roughly consistent with the meaning of the original word/phrase, whereas a mondegreen gives a new meaning. Mondegreens are particularly associated with misheard song lyrics. Examples:




  • "...and Lady Mondegreen" instead of ""...and laid him on the green"
    (lyrics of the 17th-century Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Earl o'
    Moray") [hence the origin of the term]

  • "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "'Scuse me while I kiss
    the sky" (from the song "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

  • "Jose, can you see by the donzerly light" instead of "O say can you
    see, by the dawn's early light" (from the US national anthem - two
    mondegreens in one line!)

  • "wrapped up like a douche" instead of "revved up like a deuce" (from
    "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

  • "See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen" instead
    of "See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen" (from
    the ABBA song "Dancing Queen")


malapropism



"The use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance" [my emphasis]. Examples:




  • "Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my
    oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!" instead of something like "Sure, if I apprehend anything in this
    world, it is the use of my vernacular tongue, and a nice arrangement
    of epithets" (Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals, Act 3
    Scene III) [hence the origin of the term];

  • "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons"
    instead of "apprehended two suspicious persons" (Shakespeare's Much
    Ado About Nothing
    , Act 3, Scene V);

  • Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott once claimed that no one
    "is the suppository of all wisdom" (instead of "repository").






share|improve this answer























  • Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
    – Kris
    Jul 23 '18 at 7:57






  • 3




    Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
    – Meni Rosenfeld
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:44






  • 1




    I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
    – Chappo
    Jul 24 '18 at 2:20






  • 1




    @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
    – Ryan The Leach
    Jul 24 '18 at 9:24



















16














I believe the word you're looking for is Malapropism.



From the linked Wikipedia page:




A malapropism (also called a malaprop or Dogberryism) is the use of an
incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a
nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement
by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes",
rather than "electoral votes".[1] Malapropisms often occur as errors
in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention,
especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.
Philosopher Donald Davidson has noted that malapropisms show the
complex process through which the brain translates thoughts into
language.



Humorous malapropisms are the type that attract the most attention and
commentary, but bland malapropisms are common in speech and writing.



...



The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes
from a character named "Mrs. Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's
1775 play The Rivals.[2] Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic
effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends
but which sound similar to words that do. Sheridan presumably chose
her name in humorous reference to the word malapropos, an adjective or
adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the
French phrase mal à propos (literally "poorly placed"). According to
the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of "malapropos"
in English is from 1630,[3] and the first person known to have used
the word "malaprop" in the sense of "a speech error" is Lord Byron in
1814.[4]







share|improve this answer





























    6














    The answer, I believe, is eggcorn.




    Eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation
    of another, an element of the original being substituted for one which
    sounds very similar.







    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      -1 no attribution
      – Let's stop villifying Iran
      Jul 23 '18 at 0:27










    • "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
      – Kris
      Jul 23 '18 at 7:57










    • @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
      – Mari-Lou A
      Jul 23 '18 at 8:28






    • 2




      @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
      – Phil Sweet
      Jul 23 '18 at 9:48






    • 1




      @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
      – brhans
      Jul 23 '18 at 11:17













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    3 Answers
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    active

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    3 Answers
    3






    active

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    active

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    oldest

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    33














    There are at least four term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing, each with somewhat overlapping application, depending on the exact situation.



    oronym



    A pair of phrases which are homophonic. Examples:




    • "I scream" instead of "ice cream";

    • "four candles" instead of "fork handles".


    eggcorn



    "An idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical [which] introduces a meaning that is different from the original but plausible in the same context" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "eggcorn" instead of "acorn" [hence the origin of the term];

    • "old-timers' disease" instead of "Alzheimer's disease";

    • "preying mantis" instead of "praying mantis";

    • "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and
      purposes"; and my favourite...

    • "mating name" instead of "maiden name".


    mondegreen



    "A mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning." The subtle distinction between a mondegreen and an eggcorn is that an eggcorn is roughly consistent with the meaning of the original word/phrase, whereas a mondegreen gives a new meaning. Mondegreens are particularly associated with misheard song lyrics. Examples:




    • "...and Lady Mondegreen" instead of ""...and laid him on the green"
      (lyrics of the 17th-century Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Earl o'
      Moray") [hence the origin of the term]

    • "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "'Scuse me while I kiss
      the sky" (from the song "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

    • "Jose, can you see by the donzerly light" instead of "O say can you
      see, by the dawn's early light" (from the US national anthem - two
      mondegreens in one line!)

    • "wrapped up like a douche" instead of "revved up like a deuce" (from
      "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

    • "See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen" instead
      of "See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen" (from
      the ABBA song "Dancing Queen")


    malapropism



    "The use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my
      oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!" instead of something like "Sure, if I apprehend anything in this
      world, it is the use of my vernacular tongue, and a nice arrangement
      of epithets" (Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals, Act 3
      Scene III) [hence the origin of the term];

    • "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons"
      instead of "apprehended two suspicious persons" (Shakespeare's Much
      Ado About Nothing
      , Act 3, Scene V);

    • Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott once claimed that no one
      "is the suppository of all wisdom" (instead of "repository").






    share|improve this answer























    • Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
      – Kris
      Jul 23 '18 at 7:57






    • 3




      Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
      – Meni Rosenfeld
      Jul 23 '18 at 16:44






    • 1




      I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
      – Chappo
      Jul 24 '18 at 2:20






    • 1




      @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
      – Ryan The Leach
      Jul 24 '18 at 9:24
















    33














    There are at least four term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing, each with somewhat overlapping application, depending on the exact situation.



    oronym



    A pair of phrases which are homophonic. Examples:




    • "I scream" instead of "ice cream";

    • "four candles" instead of "fork handles".


    eggcorn



    "An idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical [which] introduces a meaning that is different from the original but plausible in the same context" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "eggcorn" instead of "acorn" [hence the origin of the term];

    • "old-timers' disease" instead of "Alzheimer's disease";

    • "preying mantis" instead of "praying mantis";

    • "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and
      purposes"; and my favourite...

    • "mating name" instead of "maiden name".


    mondegreen



    "A mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning." The subtle distinction between a mondegreen and an eggcorn is that an eggcorn is roughly consistent with the meaning of the original word/phrase, whereas a mondegreen gives a new meaning. Mondegreens are particularly associated with misheard song lyrics. Examples:




    • "...and Lady Mondegreen" instead of ""...and laid him on the green"
      (lyrics of the 17th-century Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Earl o'
      Moray") [hence the origin of the term]

    • "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "'Scuse me while I kiss
      the sky" (from the song "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

    • "Jose, can you see by the donzerly light" instead of "O say can you
      see, by the dawn's early light" (from the US national anthem - two
      mondegreens in one line!)

    • "wrapped up like a douche" instead of "revved up like a deuce" (from
      "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

    • "See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen" instead
      of "See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen" (from
      the ABBA song "Dancing Queen")


    malapropism



    "The use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my
      oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!" instead of something like "Sure, if I apprehend anything in this
      world, it is the use of my vernacular tongue, and a nice arrangement
      of epithets" (Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals, Act 3
      Scene III) [hence the origin of the term];

    • "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons"
      instead of "apprehended two suspicious persons" (Shakespeare's Much
      Ado About Nothing
      , Act 3, Scene V);

    • Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott once claimed that no one
      "is the suppository of all wisdom" (instead of "repository").






    share|improve this answer























    • Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
      – Kris
      Jul 23 '18 at 7:57






    • 3




      Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
      – Meni Rosenfeld
      Jul 23 '18 at 16:44






    • 1




      I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
      – Chappo
      Jul 24 '18 at 2:20






    • 1




      @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
      – Ryan The Leach
      Jul 24 '18 at 9:24














    33












    33








    33






    There are at least four term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing, each with somewhat overlapping application, depending on the exact situation.



    oronym



    A pair of phrases which are homophonic. Examples:




    • "I scream" instead of "ice cream";

    • "four candles" instead of "fork handles".


    eggcorn



    "An idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical [which] introduces a meaning that is different from the original but plausible in the same context" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "eggcorn" instead of "acorn" [hence the origin of the term];

    • "old-timers' disease" instead of "Alzheimer's disease";

    • "preying mantis" instead of "praying mantis";

    • "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and
      purposes"; and my favourite...

    • "mating name" instead of "maiden name".


    mondegreen



    "A mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning." The subtle distinction between a mondegreen and an eggcorn is that an eggcorn is roughly consistent with the meaning of the original word/phrase, whereas a mondegreen gives a new meaning. Mondegreens are particularly associated with misheard song lyrics. Examples:




    • "...and Lady Mondegreen" instead of ""...and laid him on the green"
      (lyrics of the 17th-century Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Earl o'
      Moray") [hence the origin of the term]

    • "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "'Scuse me while I kiss
      the sky" (from the song "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

    • "Jose, can you see by the donzerly light" instead of "O say can you
      see, by the dawn's early light" (from the US national anthem - two
      mondegreens in one line!)

    • "wrapped up like a douche" instead of "revved up like a deuce" (from
      "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

    • "See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen" instead
      of "See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen" (from
      the ABBA song "Dancing Queen")


    malapropism



    "The use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my
      oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!" instead of something like "Sure, if I apprehend anything in this
      world, it is the use of my vernacular tongue, and a nice arrangement
      of epithets" (Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals, Act 3
      Scene III) [hence the origin of the term];

    • "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons"
      instead of "apprehended two suspicious persons" (Shakespeare's Much
      Ado About Nothing
      , Act 3, Scene V);

    • Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott once claimed that no one
      "is the suppository of all wisdom" (instead of "repository").






    share|improve this answer














    There are at least four term for the incorrect use of a similar sounding word when writing, each with somewhat overlapping application, depending on the exact situation.



    oronym



    A pair of phrases which are homophonic. Examples:




    • "I scream" instead of "ice cream";

    • "four candles" instead of "fork handles".


    eggcorn



    "An idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical [which] introduces a meaning that is different from the original but plausible in the same context" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "eggcorn" instead of "acorn" [hence the origin of the term];

    • "old-timers' disease" instead of "Alzheimer's disease";

    • "preying mantis" instead of "praying mantis";

    • "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and
      purposes"; and my favourite...

    • "mating name" instead of "maiden name".


    mondegreen



    "A mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning." The subtle distinction between a mondegreen and an eggcorn is that an eggcorn is roughly consistent with the meaning of the original word/phrase, whereas a mondegreen gives a new meaning. Mondegreens are particularly associated with misheard song lyrics. Examples:




    • "...and Lady Mondegreen" instead of ""...and laid him on the green"
      (lyrics of the 17th-century Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Earl o'
      Moray") [hence the origin of the term]

    • "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "'Scuse me while I kiss
      the sky" (from the song "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

    • "Jose, can you see by the donzerly light" instead of "O say can you
      see, by the dawn's early light" (from the US national anthem - two
      mondegreens in one line!)

    • "wrapped up like a douche" instead of "revved up like a deuce" (from
      "Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band)

    • "See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen" instead
      of "See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen" (from
      the ABBA song "Dancing Queen")


    malapropism



    "The use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance" [my emphasis]. Examples:




    • "Sure, if I reprehend any thing in this world it is the use of my
      oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs!" instead of something like "Sure, if I apprehend anything in this
      world, it is the use of my vernacular tongue, and a nice arrangement
      of epithets" (Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals, Act 3
      Scene III) [hence the origin of the term];

    • "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons"
      instead of "apprehended two suspicious persons" (Shakespeare's Much
      Ado About Nothing
      , Act 3, Scene V);

    • Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott once claimed that no one
      "is the suppository of all wisdom" (instead of "repository").







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 22 mins ago

























    answered Jul 23 '18 at 2:23









    ChappoChappo

    2,61841225




    2,61841225












    • Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
      – Kris
      Jul 23 '18 at 7:57






    • 3




      Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
      – Meni Rosenfeld
      Jul 23 '18 at 16:44






    • 1




      I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
      – Chappo
      Jul 24 '18 at 2:20






    • 1




      @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
      – Ryan The Leach
      Jul 24 '18 at 9:24


















    • Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
      – Kris
      Jul 23 '18 at 7:57






    • 3




      Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
      – Meni Rosenfeld
      Jul 23 '18 at 16:44






    • 1




      I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
      – Chappo
      Jul 24 '18 at 2:20






    • 1




      @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
      – Ryan The Leach
      Jul 24 '18 at 9:24
















    Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
    – Kris
    Jul 23 '18 at 7:57




    Better make up your mind which one it is :D fast.
    – Kris
    Jul 23 '18 at 7:57




    3




    3




    Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
    – Meni Rosenfeld
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:44




    Mondegreens are cool. There is a Hebrew website called Avatiach, which catalogs mondegreens in Hebrew songs, named after a song featuring the word "ahavtiha" (a fancy way of saying "I loved her") which reportedly is often misheard as "avatiach" (watermelon).
    – Meni Rosenfeld
    Jul 23 '18 at 16:44




    1




    1




    I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
    – Chappo
    Jul 24 '18 at 2:20




    I had my own mondegreen: a new wave song in the early '80s, which I though was audacious in its chorus of "I lick Cecile" - only to discover it was the somewhat less revolutionary "Our lips are sealed". Great song nonetheless!
    – Chappo
    Jul 24 '18 at 2:20




    1




    1




    @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
    – Ryan The Leach
    Jul 24 '18 at 9:24




    @Chappo I used to think it was a song about "Alex the Seal"
    – Ryan The Leach
    Jul 24 '18 at 9:24













    16














    I believe the word you're looking for is Malapropism.



    From the linked Wikipedia page:




    A malapropism (also called a malaprop or Dogberryism) is the use of an
    incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a
    nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement
    by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes",
    rather than "electoral votes".[1] Malapropisms often occur as errors
    in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention,
    especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.
    Philosopher Donald Davidson has noted that malapropisms show the
    complex process through which the brain translates thoughts into
    language.



    Humorous malapropisms are the type that attract the most attention and
    commentary, but bland malapropisms are common in speech and writing.



    ...



    The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes
    from a character named "Mrs. Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's
    1775 play The Rivals.[2] Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic
    effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends
    but which sound similar to words that do. Sheridan presumably chose
    her name in humorous reference to the word malapropos, an adjective or
    adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the
    French phrase mal à propos (literally "poorly placed"). According to
    the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of "malapropos"
    in English is from 1630,[3] and the first person known to have used
    the word "malaprop" in the sense of "a speech error" is Lord Byron in
    1814.[4]







    share|improve this answer


























      16














      I believe the word you're looking for is Malapropism.



      From the linked Wikipedia page:




      A malapropism (also called a malaprop or Dogberryism) is the use of an
      incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a
      nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement
      by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes",
      rather than "electoral votes".[1] Malapropisms often occur as errors
      in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention,
      especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.
      Philosopher Donald Davidson has noted that malapropisms show the
      complex process through which the brain translates thoughts into
      language.



      Humorous malapropisms are the type that attract the most attention and
      commentary, but bland malapropisms are common in speech and writing.



      ...



      The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes
      from a character named "Mrs. Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's
      1775 play The Rivals.[2] Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic
      effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends
      but which sound similar to words that do. Sheridan presumably chose
      her name in humorous reference to the word malapropos, an adjective or
      adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the
      French phrase mal à propos (literally "poorly placed"). According to
      the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of "malapropos"
      in English is from 1630,[3] and the first person known to have used
      the word "malaprop" in the sense of "a speech error" is Lord Byron in
      1814.[4]







      share|improve this answer
























        16












        16








        16






        I believe the word you're looking for is Malapropism.



        From the linked Wikipedia page:




        A malapropism (also called a malaprop or Dogberryism) is the use of an
        incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a
        nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement
        by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes",
        rather than "electoral votes".[1] Malapropisms often occur as errors
        in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention,
        especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.
        Philosopher Donald Davidson has noted that malapropisms show the
        complex process through which the brain translates thoughts into
        language.



        Humorous malapropisms are the type that attract the most attention and
        commentary, but bland malapropisms are common in speech and writing.



        ...



        The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes
        from a character named "Mrs. Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's
        1775 play The Rivals.[2] Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic
        effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends
        but which sound similar to words that do. Sheridan presumably chose
        her name in humorous reference to the word malapropos, an adjective or
        adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the
        French phrase mal à propos (literally "poorly placed"). According to
        the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of "malapropos"
        in English is from 1630,[3] and the first person known to have used
        the word "malaprop" in the sense of "a speech error" is Lord Byron in
        1814.[4]







        share|improve this answer












        I believe the word you're looking for is Malapropism.



        From the linked Wikipedia page:




        A malapropism (also called a malaprop or Dogberryism) is the use of an
        incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound, resulting in a
        nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterance. An example is the statement
        by baseball player Yogi Berra, "Texas has a lot of electrical votes",
        rather than "electoral votes".[1] Malapropisms often occur as errors
        in natural speech and are sometimes the subject of media attention,
        especially when made by politicians or other prominent individuals.
        Philosopher Donald Davidson has noted that malapropisms show the
        complex process through which the brain translates thoughts into
        language.



        Humorous malapropisms are the type that attract the most attention and
        commentary, but bland malapropisms are common in speech and writing.



        ...



        The word "malapropism" (and its earlier variant "malaprop") comes
        from a character named "Mrs. Malaprop" in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's
        1775 play The Rivals.[2] Mrs. Malaprop frequently misspeaks (to comic
        effect) by using words which don't have the meaning that she intends
        but which sound similar to words that do. Sheridan presumably chose
        her name in humorous reference to the word malapropos, an adjective or
        adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the
        French phrase mal à propos (literally "poorly placed"). According to
        the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of "malapropos"
        in English is from 1630,[3] and the first person known to have used
        the word "malaprop" in the sense of "a speech error" is Lord Byron in
        1814.[4]








        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Jul 23 '18 at 2:06









        brhansbrhans

        26914




        26914























            6














            The answer, I believe, is eggcorn.




            Eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation
            of another, an element of the original being substituted for one which
            sounds very similar.







            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              -1 no attribution
              – Let's stop villifying Iran
              Jul 23 '18 at 0:27










            • "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
              – Kris
              Jul 23 '18 at 7:57










            • @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
              – Mari-Lou A
              Jul 23 '18 at 8:28






            • 2




              @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
              – Phil Sweet
              Jul 23 '18 at 9:48






            • 1




              @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
              – brhans
              Jul 23 '18 at 11:17


















            6














            The answer, I believe, is eggcorn.




            Eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation
            of another, an element of the original being substituted for one which
            sounds very similar.







            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              -1 no attribution
              – Let's stop villifying Iran
              Jul 23 '18 at 0:27










            • "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
              – Kris
              Jul 23 '18 at 7:57










            • @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
              – Mari-Lou A
              Jul 23 '18 at 8:28






            • 2




              @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
              – Phil Sweet
              Jul 23 '18 at 9:48






            • 1




              @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
              – brhans
              Jul 23 '18 at 11:17
















            6












            6








            6






            The answer, I believe, is eggcorn.




            Eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation
            of another, an element of the original being substituted for one which
            sounds very similar.







            share|improve this answer












            The answer, I believe, is eggcorn.




            Eggcorn is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation
            of another, an element of the original being substituted for one which
            sounds very similar.








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Jul 22 '18 at 20:38









            Beulah AkindeleBeulah Akindele

            856




            856








            • 2




              -1 no attribution
              – Let's stop villifying Iran
              Jul 23 '18 at 0:27










            • "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
              – Kris
              Jul 23 '18 at 7:57










            • @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
              – Mari-Lou A
              Jul 23 '18 at 8:28






            • 2




              @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
              – Phil Sweet
              Jul 23 '18 at 9:48






            • 1




              @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
              – brhans
              Jul 23 '18 at 11:17
















            • 2




              -1 no attribution
              – Let's stop villifying Iran
              Jul 23 '18 at 0:27










            • "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
              – Kris
              Jul 23 '18 at 7:57










            • @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
              – Mari-Lou A
              Jul 23 '18 at 8:28






            • 2




              @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
              – Phil Sweet
              Jul 23 '18 at 9:48






            • 1




              @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
              – brhans
              Jul 23 '18 at 11:17










            2




            2




            -1 no attribution
            – Let's stop villifying Iran
            Jul 23 '18 at 0:27




            -1 no attribution
            – Let's stop villifying Iran
            Jul 23 '18 at 0:27












            "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
            – Kris
            Jul 23 '18 at 7:57




            "Except eggcorns aren't real words"? They aren't?
            – Kris
            Jul 23 '18 at 7:57












            @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
            – Mari-Lou A
            Jul 23 '18 at 8:28




            @PhilSweet I suggest you read the definition of eggcorn in Chappo's answer.
            – Mari-Lou A
            Jul 23 '18 at 8:28




            2




            2




            @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
            – Phil Sweet
            Jul 23 '18 at 9:48




            @Mari-LouA I was doing some more reading last night. The usage is meandering and expanding. Originally it 1. only applied to nouns 2. Excluded malaprops. 3. Involved a process of making semantic sense out of what was heard. It now seems to have subzoomed malaprops.
            – Phil Sweet
            Jul 23 '18 at 9:48




            1




            1




            @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
            – brhans
            Jul 23 '18 at 11:17






            @PhilSweet - "subzoomed" - lol - I see what you did there ;)
            – brhans
            Jul 23 '18 at 11:17




















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