malaprops
Comical word substitutions
Malaprops are words mistakenly used in place of similar-sounding ones, often with comic effect: for all intensive purposes instead of for all intents and purposes, or escape goat for scapegoat.
The term comes from Mrs.
Malaprop, a character in Sheridan's 1775 play who mangles language pretentiously.
Also called malapropisms.
Accidental sound transposition
- mondegreenMisperceived lyric or phrase
- eggcornMisheard phrase that persists
- punWordplay using double meanings
- mixed metaphorIncongruent figures jumbled together
neologism · portmanteau · double entendre · homophone · paronym · verbal irony · word substitution
Foolish, costly mistake
misnomer · solecism · blooper · faux pas · inaccuracy · misstatement · mispronunciation · infelicity
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- screwballDeceptive breaking pitch
- witClever, inventive humor
Archie Bunker · drollery · absurdity · farce · comedic relief · parody · satire · mirth
spoonerism
Accidental sound transposition
- mondegreenMisperceived lyric or phrase
- eggcornMisheard phrase that persists
- punWordplay using double meanings
mixed metaphor · neologism · portmanteau · double entendre · homophone · paronym · verbal irony · word substitution
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
misuse · misnomer · solecism · blooper · faux pas · inaccuracy · misstatement · mispronunciation · infelicity · muddle
Sheridan
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- screwballDeceptive breaking pitch
Archie Bunker · wit · drollery · absurdity · farce · comedic relief · parody · satire · mirth · amusement
malapropswitticisms
Clever, amusing remarks
double entendres · spoonerisms · portmanteaus · rhetorical flourishes