Malapropism

Malapropism- When you use an incorrect word in the place of the correct word that sounds the same.

I was commenting on my friend Jacks blog the other day when he found a bank name that struck him as funny on one of his travels. Though he didn't commit malapropism, the comment I made however did and it gave me the idea for today's post . "Don't worry Jack, sammich was used correctly". 

Unless you are some English speaking professional super hero, you have probably embarrassed yourself by using the wrong word at one time or another. 

Here are my own personal experiences of Malapropism:

I'm at work and tell the boss, "I pacifically told everyone to make sure to add their time at the end if the day". I say this all the time. I guess because the beach is on my mind. "Pacific" has to do with the ocean. The correct word I should use is "specifically". 

At a family picnic (not long ago either). I yell, "That bug has long testicles". Husband whispers in my ear, "its not testicles, its "tentacles". Dooouhh!


For years, I would refer to the bank down the road as Fertilty Bank. My Husband, bless his heart, had to correct me again " Its called "Fidelity Bank". Duuh.

and here's one I'll never forget and may have even mentioned this one before but.....
I while back I was having a conversation with a man about allergies. Serious as everything, I said. "Oh I can not live with out my Viagra......Silence filled the room. Hand hits forehead, "I meant, I cant live without my Allegra"! bahahah. Okay, so this is not really the same sounding words but I'm going with it. 

I always get confused with the two words "affect and effect".
Affect is a verb and effect is a noun.

Need I go on? There Is never a dull moment with me. It's just honest innocence.

OK smarties, your turn, Just go ahead and put it out there. What are some embarrassing use of words that you or someone you know has used wrongly? You will not be judged, This is just for fun. 



16 comments

  1. I cannot list the times the proofers of my books, fix my errors. However, My most embarrassment with words, came from reading aloud in my 8th grade in Valdese, NC. How I got So-OX Nation, from the Sioux Indian Nation I will never know, but I will never forget the giggles and laughs 'frum 'em mountain kids' (that might have been the moment I decided to quit school if I ever reached 16!)

    Good post.

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  2. PS: I am also sure with my southern phonetics(?), I murdered the word: Malapropism

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  3. Got it a little turned around there: affect is a verb (usually) & effect is a noun.

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  4. If you google Dr Spooner you will see some stunning malaproprisms...
    I particularly like 'You hissed all my mystery lectures' for 'You missed all my history lectures'.
    And perhaps that bug DID have long testicles...

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  5. hahhaa...this is such a cute post...I have used the wrong words all my life but I'll have to get back with ya cause I can't think of one this early in the morning....

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  6. Hahaha! This was fun to read. I can't think of anything off the top of my head but I've absolutely embarrassed myself.

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  7. i loved this and fully understand. like bj i can't think of anything. i can tell you every time i type and email or post for my blog i do no know which word to use, effect or affect. i look it up and the next time i look it up again.. my problem comes with typing bear/bare all the words that sound the same but spell differently. at my age i am losing words, common words, and have to describe the word so the person i am speaking with can guess what i mean.... thanks for stopping by my post today

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  8. Your (oops) too much. Thank you for the smile.

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  9. It happens too frequently with me. My wife also does it. Some of them can be very funny.

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  10. Hey Lisa! Thank you for visiting my blog. Glad to hear from another North Carolina blogger. Oh my, with my NC southern drawl people often ask, where are you from? I'm sure I mess up lots of words, but the first one that comes to mind is one of my husband's...he says wickery instead of wicker. Oh and another of his...he will ask, are going death! instead of deaf.

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  11. Hey Lisa! Thank you for visiting my blog. Glad to hear from another North Carolina blogger. Oh my, with my NC southern drawl people often ask, where are you from? I'm sure I mess up lots of words, but the first one that comes to mind is one of my husband's...he says wickery instead of wicker. Oh and another of his...he will ask, are going death! instead of deaf.

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  12. HaHa, funny post! Just today, my sweet little neighbor was telling me she wants to order some scuffernines. No kidding! She was trying to say scuppernongs.

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  13. Hi Lisa, I popped in to thank you for visiting my blog.

    I'm okay with words when I talk but anything goes when I type! I have to be really careful.

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  14. You are a riot, lady!!! Testicles! Viagra! Fertility!! What's on your mind these days? Hahaha!!! :) great post!

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