GrammarPhile Blog

Fullproof, er … Foolproof Advice for Avoiding Malapropisms and Eggcorns

Posted by Terri Porter   Apr 1, 2015 6:00:00 AM

 

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Topics: malapropism, eggcorns

Twisted? Misused? How About Just Plain Wrong?

Posted by Julie DeSilva   Oct 25, 2011 5:30:00 AM

pretzelDo 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.'"

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Topics: malapropism

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