A malapropism is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similiar sound, resulting in a nonsensical, often humorous way, such as "He didn’t know whether it was a grease or electrical fire, so he had to use a fire distinguisher." or "My art teacher says the monster in my painting is just a pigment of my imagination." The word "malapropism comes from the French "mal a propos" meaning "inappropriate", & was personified by Richard Sheridan in his comedy, "The Rivals" (1775) as Mrs. Malaprop, a character who habitually misused her words. Malapropisms have been known to be used by politicians:
"Republicans understand the
importance of bondage between a mother & a child." Dan Quayle
"The police are not here to create
disorder, they're here to preserve disorder." Richard Daley, former
Chicago mayor
He has also referred to
a tandem bicycle as a
"tantrum bicycle" and made mention of "Alcoholics Unanimous".
"This is unparalyzed in the state's
history." Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of
the House
And then there are Bushisms:
"Oftentimes, we live in a processed
world, you know, people focus on the process and not results."
"The law I sign today directs new
funds... to the task of collecting vital intelligence... on weapons of
mass production."
"It will take time to restore chaos and
order."
"They have miscalculated me as a
leader."
"I am mindful not only of preserving
executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well."
"We need an energy bill that encourages
consumption."
Archie Bunker, from “All in the Family” is also known for
malapropisms. He called Orthodox Jews “off
the docks Jews” & referred to the Women's Liberation Movement as the “Women’s Lubrication Movement”. Some of his others:
"A witness shall not bear falsies against thy neighbor."
"The hookeries and massageries…the whole world is turning
into a regular Sodom and Glocca Morra."
"Last
will and tentacle…"
"Patience
is a virgin."
"In
her elastic stockings, next to her very close veins."
"Buy
one of them battery operated transvestite radios."
"A
woman doctor is only good for women’s problems…like your groinocology."
It was
reported in New Scientist that an office worker had described a colleague as "a
vast suppository of information".
The worker then apologized for his "Miss-Marple-ism" (i.e. malapropism).
New Scientist noted
this as possibly the first time anyone had uttered a malapropism for the word malapropism itself.
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A mondegreen is the
mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase in a way that gives it a new
meaning. It most commonly is applied to a line in a poem or a lyric in a song. The first lines below are the mondegreen, the next are the real lyrics.
“Let
me drown in your bathtub”
“Let me drown
in your laughter”
Annie’s Song, John Denver
"Gladly, the cross-eyed bear."
"Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."
Hymn
"Dead ants are my friends; they're blowin' in the wind."
"The answer my
friend is blowin' in the wind."
Blowin' In The Wind, Bob Dylan
"Midnight after you're wasted."
Blowin' In The Wind, Bob Dylan
"Midnight after you're wasted."
"Midnight at the
oasis."
Midnight at the Oasis, Maria Muldaur
"The girl with colitis goes by."
Midnight at the Oasis, Maria Muldaur
"The girl with colitis goes by."
"The girl with
kaleidoscope eyes."
Lucy in the Sky With
Diamonds, The Beatles
"Hope the city voted for you."
"Hopelessly
devoted to you."
Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease
Listen to some more mondegreens HERE!!
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Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease
Listen to some more mondegreens HERE!!
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A spoonerism is an error in speech in which corresponding vowels or consonants are switched.
It is named for W. A. Spooner (1844-1930), an English clergyman noted for such
slips. What he was trying to say often
came out “bass ackwards”!
"Three cheers for our queer old
dean!" (dear old queen, referring to Queen
Victoria)
"Is it kisstomary to cuss the bride?"
I've been listening to a really weird audiobook. It begins with an aardvark
and near the end zebras are playing the xylophone. It’s called “Under a Bridge with Dick and Harry”. (Never mind, my husband just told me
it was the unabridged dictionary. I've got to get my hearing aids adjusted!)----fishducky
PS--I can't believe it. I've been posting just over a year & by this last weekend I'd had over 55,555 pageviews. (Make that 55, 930 as of last night.) Yay, me!!
PS--I can't believe it. I've been posting just over a year & by this last weekend I'd had over 55,555 pageviews. (Make that 55, 930 as of last night.) Yay, me!!