Eggcorn

Quick meaning: Eggcorn is a noun meaning (linguistics) A word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase either on its own or as part of a set expression.

Meaning

(linguistics) A word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase either on its own or as part of a set expression.

Example Sentences

An eggcorn is a term that is misunderstood and mangled, like ‘give up the goat’ or ‘hone in on’.

[M]ost eggcorns remain individual idiosyncrasies […] But something like "pus jewel" (for "pustule") — which is an eggcorn […]

Far from being simple goofs, an eggcorn provides a glimpse into everyday thought processes. Eggcorns do not signify ignorance but rather the opposite, […]

update (9/30/2003): Geoff Pullum suggests that if no suitable term already exists for cases like this, we should call them "egg corns", in the metonymic tradition of "mondegreen", since the eponymous solution of "malapropism" and "spoonerism" is not appropriate.

Word Forms

• eggcorns

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include gegg, egg-hot, kegmeg, geggery, gowk, gammacism.

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