Meaning of eggcorn | Babel Free

Definitions

A word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase either on its own or as part of a set expression

Examples

“update⟳ (9/30/2003): Geoff Pullum suggests that if no suitable term already exists for cases like⟳ this, we should call⟳ them "egg corns", in the metonymic tradition of "mondegreen", since the eponymous solution of "malapropism" and "spoonerism" is not appropriate.”

“The Language Loggers have⟳ argued that it's useful to distinguish eggcorns from classic malapropisms (e.g., "allegory" for "alligator", "oracular" for "vernacular", "fortuitous" for "fortunate"), in which a word is replaced by one with a vague similarity of sound⟳. An eggcorn relies on a substitution that is phonologically very similar (even homophonous), and the result⟳ is one that is semantically justifiable (even if the justification is far-fetched).”

“What is also required of eggcorns is phonetic closeness -- they should do better than "electrocution" for "elocution" or "allegory" for "alligator". This is something they have⟳ in common with mondegreens, but the similarity ends there. Mondegreens are errors of perception, not of production, and they are related to specific auditory material: […]”

“Far from being simple goofs, an eggcorn provides a glimpse into everyday thought processes. Eggcorns do not signify ignorance but rather the opposite, […]”

“An eggcorn is a term that is misunderstood and mangled, like⟳ ‘give⟳ up the goat’ or ‘hone in on’.”

“Our report⟳ of a relative who, as a child, thought the classic version of the Lord's Prayer began "Our father, a chart in heaven, Harold be thy name⟳" stated that this type⟳ of mistake⟳ is known as an eggcorn. A number⟳ of readers have⟳ suggested that instances like⟳ this in which a whole phrase rather than just a word is misheard, should be called mondegreens rather than eggcorns.”

“[M]ost eggcorns remain⟳ individual idiosyncrasies […] But something like⟳ "pus jewel" (for "pustule") — which is an eggcorn […]”

CEFR level