malaprop

views updated Jun 11 2018

mal·a·prop / ˈmaləˌpräp/ (also mal·a·prop·ism) • n. the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, as in, for example, “dance a flamingo” (instead of flamenco).

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

malaprop

views updated May 17 2018

malaprop the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, as in ‘a nice derangement of epitaphs’. The word comes from the name of Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals (1775).

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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