Eggcorn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. Characteristic of the eggcorn is that the new phrase makes sense on some level ("old-timer's disease" for "Alzheimer's disease"). 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.
While there are several similar classes of linguistic deviation which have been recognised for longer, Liberman argues that the original "egg corn" does not fit any of them:
- It is not a folk etymology: it is an error made by one person instead of a community.
- It is not a malapropism: egg corn and acorn are homophonous in the dialect in question.
- It is not a mondegreen: it is an error of misinterpretation from common speech and not a phrase found in a song, poem or similar.
[edit] Examples
- deep-seeded instead of deep-seated
- deformation of character instead of defamation of character
- for all intensive purposes instead of for all intents and purposes
- free reign instead of free rein
- hunger pains instead of hunger pangs
- next store instead of next door
- pier-to-pier instead of peer-to-peer
- preying mantis instead of praying mantis
- sorted past instead of sordid past
- tenderhooks instead of tenterhooks
- tow the line instead of toe the line
- without further adieu instead of without further ado
- doggie-dog world instead of dog-eat-dog world
- reaping havoc or reeking havoc instead of wreaking havoc
- mute point instead of moot point
- court marshal instead of court martial (similarly marshal law)
- honing in instead of homing in [1]
- pencilled-in mustache instead of pencil-thin mustache
- beckoned call instead of beck and call
[edit] External links
- Eggcorn database
- Mark Liberman's September 23 2003 entry on Language Log - First introduction of eggcorns on the internet.
- Michael Quinion on the eggcorn on Centrifical Discussion of an eggcorn and the definition
- Metaforix@ A discussion of the phenomenon and some examples.
