Mondegreen

Quick meaning: Mondegreen is a noun meaning (linguistics) A form of (possibly intentional) error arising from mishearing a spoken or sung phrase, possibly in a different language.

Meaning

(linguistics) A form of (possibly intentional) error arising from mishearing a spoken or sung phrase, possibly in a different language.

More Meanings

1. (rare) A misunderstanding of a written or spoken phrase as a result of multiple definitions.

Example Sentences

The title lyric ["Bei Mir Bistu Shein"], the only part of the original Yiddish preserved by Cahn, was a mondegreen waiting to happen—“My Mere Bits of Shame” and “My Beer, Mr. Shane” were among the earliest recorded mishearings—but the language barrier didn't […]

Our report of a relative who, as a child, thought the classic version of the Lord's Prayer began "Our father, a chart in heaven, Harold be thy name" stated that this type of mistake is known as an eggcorn. A number of readers have suggested that instances like this in which a whole phrase rather than just a word is misheard, should be called mondegreens rather than eggcorns.

Word Forms

• mondegreens

Synonyms for mondegreen

Depending on context, synonyms include mishearing.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include mispronunciation, mishearing, error, misconstruction, missound, mistaking.

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