malapropism

mal·a·prop·ism  (ml-prp-zm)

n.

1. Ludicrous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound.

2. An example of such misuse.

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[From malaprop.]

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mala·propi·an (-prp-n) adj.

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malapropism

Noun

the comic misuse of a word by confusion with one which sounds similar, for example under the affluence of alcohol [after Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals]

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malapropism

1. the unconscious use of an inappropriate word, especially in a cliché, as fender for feather in “You could have knocked me over with a fender.” [Named after Mrs. Malaprop, a character prone to such uses, in The Rivals, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan]
2. an instance of such misuse. Cf. heterophemism.

See also: Language

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

malapropism - the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar malaprop misstatement - a statement that contains a mistake