Eggcorn
In linguistics, an eggcorn is an idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical in the speaker's dialect. Characteristic of the eggcorn is that the new phrase makes sense on some level ("old-timers' disease" for "Alzheimer's disease"). Eggcorns often involve replacing an unfamiliar, archaic, or obscure word with a more common or modern word ("baited breath" for "bated breath").[1]
Creation and definition
The term "eggcorn" was coined by Geoffrey Pullum in September 2003, in response to an article by Mark Liberman on the website Language Log, a blog for linguists.[2] Liberman discussed the case of a woman who substitutes the phrase egg corn for the word acorn, arguing that the precise phenomenon lacked a name; Pullum suggested using "eggcorn" itself.
While there are several similar classes of linguistic deviation which have been recognised for longer, Liberman argues that the original "egg corn" does not fit any of them:
- It is not a folk etymology: it is an error made by an individual, rather than an entire community over time.
- It is not a malapropism: egg corn and acorn are nearly homophonous in the dialect in question, while malapropisms feature only vaguely similar words.
- It is not a mondegreen: it is an error of misinterpretation from common speech rather than from a lyric or similar recitation, and also does not acquire an entirely new meaning.
Examples
- for all intensive purposes instead of for all intents and purposes[3]
- hone in instead of home in[4]
- just desserts instead of just deserts (the correct usage has one "s". The dictionary defines "deserts" as "that which one deserves". Any reference to food or "eating one's just desserts" with this idiom is erroneous usage, although the misspelling is occasionally used deliberately as a play on words.)[5]
- old timers' disease instead of Alzheimer's disease [6]
- on tenderhooks instead of on tenterhooks[7]
- on the spurt of the moment instead of on the spur of the moment[8]
- once and a while instead of once in a while[9]
- pot marks instead of pockmarks [10]
- preying mantis instead of praying mantis[11]
- sore grapes instead of sour grapes[12]
- splashy instead of plashy[13]
- tow the line instead of toe the line[14]
- wanton to do instead of wont to do [15]
A fairly extensive list of Eggcorn examples can be found at the Eggcorn Database.
Popular culture
- In a scene in American Psycho, Patrick Bateman states he is "into murders and executions", which is mistaken for mergers and acquisitions
See also
References
- ^ Staff (2006-08-26). "The word: Eggcorns". New Scientist. p. 52. Retrieved 2006-12-21. LexisNexis link
- ^ Erard, Michael (June 20, 2006). "Analyzing Eggcorns and Snowclones, and Challenging Strunk and White". New York Times. p. 4. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ The Eggcorn Database » intensive purposes
- ^ http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/48/hone/ see also Language Log: Homing in on 'honing in on,' Jan 24, 2004 and Language Log: "Hone in on" before "home in on"?, Nov 3, 2005
- ^ The Eggcorn Database » dessert
- ^ Eggcorn Forum / Alzheimer's Disease not Old Timers Disease
- ^ The Eggcorn Database » tenderhooks
- ^ Peters, Mark (Mar/Apr 2006). "Word Watch: The Eggcorn -- Lend Me Your Ear". Psychology Today. 39 (2): p.18. Retrieved 2006-07-13.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/264/once-and-a-while/
- ^ http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004391.html April 9, 2007
- ^ The Eggcorn Database » prey
- ^ Eggcorn Forum / sore grapes << sour grapes
- ^ Saner, Emine (2006-10-05). "Tiny eggcorns, mighty gaffes". The Guardian. p. 2. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
- ^ Quinion, Michael (2004-01-17). "World Wide Words: Toe the line". World Wide Words. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) See also The Eggcorn Database - ^ Freeman, Jan (2007-04-08). "Wanton Eggcorns". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-07-13. also see Language Log: http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004391.html
Further reading
- "Yours sins nearly". New Scientist. 2006-09-23. p. 21. Retrieved 2006-12-21. Letters to the Editor in response to an Opinion piece on eggcorns.
- Liberman, Mark, and Geoffrey K. Pullum. Far from the Madding Gerund and Other Dispatches from Language Log. Wilsonville, OR: William, James & Co., 2006.
External links
- Eggcorn database
- Mark Liberman's September 23 2003 entry on Language Log - First introduction of eggcorns on the internet.
- Michael Quinion on the eggcorn on Centrifical Discussion of an eggcorn and the definition
- Metaforix@ A discussion of the phenomenon and some examples.
- Psychology Today: Word Watch: The Eggcorn; A funny little poem and symptom of human intelligence and creativity.
- NPR: How the Web Is Changing Language
- Chronicle of Higher Education: "Like a Bowl in a China Shop". Article by Mark Peters on eggcorns and teaching writing.
- Article about eggcorns by a Penn Linguist