Posted by Terri Porter Apr 1, 2015 6:00:00 AM
Topics: malapropism, eggcorns
Posted by Julie DeSilva Oct 25, 2011 5:30:00 AM
Do you know the origin of the word malapropism? It is taken from the character of Mrs. Malaprop in the 1775 R.B. Sheridan comedy The Rivals.
A malaprop is simply an example of a malapropism, and a malapropism is a usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase; more especially the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in the context. For example, "he always said 'polo bears' and 'Remember Pearl Island' and 'neon stockings.'"
Topics: malapropism