Malapropism

 

We can't help it ... but there are times when we are groping for words ... we start rambling and by the time we know it ... we are already saying things that are wrong in the first place.

Sometimes we also plan and deliberately say the wrong things ... to have a good laugh or get people's attention.

Malapropisms come from the French word mala propio which means inappropriate ... or not fitting. So malapropisms are WRONG words used in place of the RIGHT ones. resulting in nonsensical, sometimes humorous utterances.

No matter what motives we have when using malapropisms... whether intentional or unintentional ... deliberately or accidental ... it comes out sounding funny  ... and humorous.

Looking at the image above how many malapropisms did you see? Let us examine them. Did it make you giggle ... and did it have a comedic intent?

1. Looking for all INTENSIVE PURPOSES - Looking for all INTENTS  and purposes

2. Wolf in CHEAP clothing - wolf in SHEEP clothing

3. Muttering EPITAPHS - muttering EPITHETS

4. Casting DISPERSIONS - casting ASPERSIONS

5. MAGNIFICENT other - SIGNIFICANT other.

6. Who takes him for GRANITE - who takes him FOR GRANTED

Other examples:

1. I might just fade into BOLIVIAN - I might just fade into OBLIVION.

2. The weatherman said" There is a 90 percent chance of PARTICIPATION ..." - There is a 90 percent chance of PRECIPITATION ...

3. The doctor gave me a SUBSCRIPTION for allergies. The doctor gave me PRESCIPTION for allergies.

4. The monster was just a PIGMENT of my imagination - The monster was just a FIGMENT of my imagination.

5. Are you trying to make me an ESCAPE GOAT? Are you trying to make me a SCAPEGOAT?