Malapropism

· from English (after Mrs Malaprop)

What is a malapropism?

A malapropism is the mistaken use of a similar-sounding word with the wrong meaning, often to comic effect.

The term comes from Mrs Malaprop in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals, whose name is from French mal à propos (inappropriate). Language learners commit them constantly, sometimes memorably. They differ from spoonerisms, which swap sounds between words.

Examples

the very pineapple of politeness (pinnacle); for all intensive purposes (intents and purposes); learner Mandarin 我想睡覺 wǒ xiǎng shuìjiào (I want to sleep) said when ordering 水餃 shuǐjiǎo (dumplings)

Kungfucius says: Every language learner is one similar-sounding word away from a legendary malapropism.