malapropism
Comical word substitution
A malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with comic effect: saying for all intensive purposes instead of for all intents and purposes, or escape goat instead of scapegoat.
The term comes from Mrs.
Malaprop, a character in Sheridan's 1775 play *The Rivals*, who mangles words this way throughout.
Unlike a simple mispronunciation, a malapropism substitutes an actual word that doesn't fit the context.
Accidental sound transposition
- mondegreenMisperceived lyric or phrase
- eggcornMisheard phrase that persists
- punWordplay using double meanings
- portmanteauWord combining two others
mixed metaphor · double entendre · slip of the tongue · sound-alike · neologism · coinage · blend · back-formation
Foolish, costly mistake
bungle · howler · faux pas · misstep · oversight · inaccuracy · misstatement · solecism
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- witClever, inventive humor
- satireMockery exposing vice
parody · absurdity · amusement · laughter · hilarity · silliness · buffoonery · entertainment
Meaning opposite to words
- bathosDeflating descent in tone
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- infelicityInappropriate or awkward expression
- awkward phrasingInelegant language construction
cacophony · barbarism · vulgarism · colloquialism · tone-deafness · dysphemism
Study of linguistic meaning
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- homophonySame-sounding different words
spoonerism
Accidental sound transposition
- mondegreenMisperceived lyric or phrase
- eggcornMisheard phrase that persists
- punWordplay using double meanings
portmanteau · mixed metaphor · double entendre · slip of the tongue · sound-alike · neologism · coinage · blend · back-formation · metathesis
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
flub · bungle · howler · faux pas · misstep · oversight · inaccuracy · misstatement · solecism · impropriety
Sheridan
satire · parody · absurdity · amusement · laughter · hilarity · silliness · buffoonery · entertainment · wordplay
irony
Meaning opposite to words
- bathosDeflating descent in tone
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- infelicityInappropriate or awkward expression
awkward phrasing · cacophony · barbarism · vulgarism · colloquialism · tone-deafness · dysphemism
semantics
Study of linguistic meaning
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
homophony · word association · language processing · tip of the tongue
- clever humordry wit, wordplay, clever wordplay, clever banter, puns
- Coined Wordschortle, galumph, nerd, robot, quark
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- comedy tropespratfall, parody, sight gag, running gag, satire
- comedy writingjoke, jokes, comedy, satire, parody
- jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
malapropismpun
Wordplay using double meanings
double entendre · paronomasia · wordplay · bon mot · clever wordplay
malapropismeloquence
Persuasive verbal grace
articulacy · silver tongue · fluency · verbal dexterity · well-spoken