Malapropism
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by NItramNos (talk | contribs) at 19:24, May 31, 2007. It may differ significantly from current revision.
A Malapropism is the accidental misuse of a word, usually due to confusion with a linguistically similar word. Oftentimes, the use of a malapropism is quite humorous. The term derives from a character, "Mrs. Malaprop," in the 1775 play "The Rivals" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
An example of a malaprop would be referring to an "arduous romance" instead of an "ardent romance" or a "mute point" instead of a "moot point."
Often the humor is derived from the scatological or suggestive nature of the malapropism such as in the following:
- stimulated snakeskin shoes (simulated snakeskin shoes)
- erotic 15 inch houseplant (exotic 15 inch houseplant)
- "let's simonize our watches" (Amos and Andy: simonize = synchronize)
"you've got me in suspenders" (suspenders = suspense)