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In ], an '''eggcorn''' is an ] substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical in the speaker's dialect. The new phrase introduces a meaning that is different from the original, but plausible in the same context ("old-timers' disease" for "]"). This is as opposed to a ], where the substitution creates a nonsensical phrase. Classical malapropisms generally derive their comic effect from the fault of the user, while eggcorns are errors that exhibit creativity or logic.<ref name=PsyTod>{{cite journal|last=Peters|first=Mark|title=Word Watch: The Eggcorn -- Lend Me Your Ear|journal=Psychology Today|volume=39|issue=2|pages=p.18|date=Mar/April 2006|url=http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20060214-000002.html|accessdate= 2006-07-13}}</ref> Eggcorns often involve replacing an unfamiliar, archaic, or obscure word with a more common or modern word ("baited breath" for "]").<ref>{{cite news In ], an '''eggcorn''' is an ] substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical in the speaker's dialect. The new phrase introduces a meaning that is different from the original, but plausible in the same context, such as "old-timers' disease" for "]". This is as opposed to a ], where the substitution creates a nonsensical phrase. Classical malapropisms generally derive their comic effect from the fault of the user, while eggcorns are errors that exhibit creativity or logic.<ref name=PsyTod>{{cite journal|last=Peters|first=Mark|title=Word Watch: The Eggcorn -- Lend Me Your Ear|journal=Psychology Today|volume=39|issue=2|pages=p.18|date=Mar/April 2006|url=http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20060214-000002.html|accessdate= 2006-07-13}}</ref> Eggcorns often involve replacing an unfamiliar, archaic, or obscure word with a more common or modern word ("baited breath" for "]").<ref>{{cite news
| last = Staff | last = Staff
| title = The word: Eggcorns | title = The word: Eggcorns
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*''mating name'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite news|last=Saner|first=Emine|title=Tiny eggcorns, mighty gaffes|pages=2|publisher=The Guardian|date=2006-10-05|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1887732,00.html|accessdate= 2009-06-15}}</ref> *''mating name'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite news|last=Saner|first=Emine|title=Tiny eggcorns, mighty gaffes|pages=2|publisher=The Guardian|date=2006-10-05|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1887732,00.html|accessdate= 2009-06-15}}</ref>
*''old timers' disease'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/337/old-timers/ |title=Alzheimer's » Old-Timer’s |publisher=The Eggcorn Database |accessdate=2010-06-10 }}</ref> *''ex-patriot'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/159/expatriot/ |title=expatriate » expatriot |publisher=The Eggcorn Database |accessdate=2010-07-20 }}</ref>
*''on the spurt of the moment'' instead of '']''<ref name=PsyTod/> *''on the spurt of the moment'' instead of '']''<ref name=PsyTod/>
*''preying mantis'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/675/prey/ |title=pray » prey |publisher=The Eggcorn Database |accessdate=2010-06-10 }}</ref> *''preying mantis'' instead of '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/675/prey/ |title=pray » prey |publisher=The Eggcorn Database |accessdate=2010-06-10 }}</ref>

Revision as of 17:44, 20 July 2010

In linguistics, an eggcorn is an idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical in the speaker's dialect. The new phrase introduces a meaning that is different from the original, but plausible in the same context, such as "old-timers' disease" for "Alzheimer's disease". This is as opposed to a malapropism, where the substitution creates a nonsensical phrase. Classical malapropisms generally derive their comic effect from the fault of the user, while eggcorns are errors that exhibit creativity or logic. Eggcorns often involve replacing an unfamiliar, archaic, or obscure word with a more common or modern word ("baited breath" for "bated breath").

The term eggcorn was coined by Geoffrey Pullum in September 2003, in response to an article by Mark Liberman on the website Language Log, a blog for linguists. Liberman discussed the case of a woman who substitutes the phrase egg corn for the word acorn, arguing that the precise phenomenon lacked a name; Pullum suggested using "eggcorn" itself.

Examples

See also

References

  1. ^ Peters, Mark (Mar/April 2006). "Word Watch: The Eggcorn -- Lend Me Your Ear". Psychology Today. 39 (2): p.18. Retrieved 2006-07-13. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Staff (2006-08-26). "The word: Eggcorns". New Scientist. p. 52. Retrieved 2006-12-21. LexisNexis link
  3. Erard, Michael (June 20, 2006). "Analyzing Eggcorns and Snowclones, and Challenging Strunk and White". New York Times. p. 4. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  4. Saner, Emine (2006-10-05). "Tiny eggcorns, mighty gaffes". The Guardian. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  5. "expatriate » expatriot". The Eggcorn Database. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  6. "pray » prey". The Eggcorn Database. Retrieved 2010-06-10.

Further reading

External links

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