Malapropisms

Subject: Malapropisms
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 11:51 AM

On the BBC main news this morning, the Sports Presenter,discussing the possibility of cricket star Shane Warne adopting German nationality, said that he (Warne ) , had been told that he was , I quote, " Illegible " ----!!! Some years ago, an acquaintance told me of the stray cat he & his wife had found, ragged and starving, in the street, and assured me that the animal was " totally emancipated " ( !!) -----Anyone else got any similar stories ???

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 11:53 AM

Sorry , I put this in the wrong section !! Please forgive !!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Becca72
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 12:24 PM

An ex-boyfriend, when he wanted me to provide finer detail, would tell me I needed to be more pacific.

For some reason he got quite upset when I asked, "does that mean I have to go to the other side of the country and tell you the same damned thing again?"

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bainbo
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 01:13 PM

I sub-edit copy on a local newspaper. Oddly enough, bubblyrat, just the other day I was handling a report of an animal cruelty case in which one of the dogs was said to have been found to be in an emancipated state.

Another one which was spotted in time, just yesterday, was a travel feature on Portugal which said the River Douro was home to several extinct birds.

But one which got past everybody a few years ago and appeared in print - written by a fast-rising young reporter - mentioned renowned father of English literature the Vulnerable Bede.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Micca
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 01:25 PM

I Love Malapropisms!!!
The mother of a friend had a genius for getting things mixed
2 of her more memorable ones were:
" The sea is a calm as a mildew"
and she always refferred to a certain German desert made of chocolate cherrys and cream as
"Black Florist Gateaux!!"
I always thought it was the "Venomous Bede"

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 01:52 PM

Some I don't love...the British "I should of" instead of "I should have".....I could of...I would of..etc etc ... can they not get it right it is HAVE...HAVE...not OF .....gets on my nerves.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 02:01 PM

My mother once had a neighbour who declared herself fond of "sympathy" music...

But my all-time favourite was when an acquaintance who was making arrangements for an elderly relative to enter a nursing home mentioned that she had acquired "the power of eternity!"

~D

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 02:04 PM

I hate hearing "excape" and "nucular".

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 02:47 PM

My other non-favourite is in the UK to hear someone talking about a "Robin Reliant" car which should be a "Reliant Robin" Grrrrrrrr

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Micca
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 03:12 PM

and I HATE "CerSTIFFicate", it is CerTIFicate!!!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bainbo
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 03:15 PM

Yeah, but mispronunciatuins or just plain getting things wrong aren't malapropisms. A malapropism is when you unconsciously substitute an inappropriate word that sounds the same as the one you mean, so that the effect is absurd.

The original Mrs Malaprop, in Sheridan's play The Rivals, famously spoke of someone being as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile, and described someone as being the very pineapple of politeness.

By that definition, my example above extinct birds isn't a malapropism either. I'm straining to think of more examples I've heard, but can't up with any right now. Love the Black Florist Gateaux, Micca!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Alba
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 03:26 PM

My wonderful Grandmother had a habit of getting words mixed up. I remember her telling me to use my hankie when I had a cold as I would.." breath better without all that Guitar blocking my nose"...smile

Another time, years later, Gran was telling me that a Friend of mine had given brith to a lovely baby Girl but the baby was premature so the Doctors were keeping the wee one in an Incinerator for the time being.

Jings I miss my Nana.
Love and Light
Jude

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: RangerSteve
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 03:29 PM

Someone I know once mentioned Michelangelo's painting in the Sixteenth Chapel.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Arnie
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 04:09 PM

Personally, I prefer spoonerisms....

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 04:13 PM

Director's renumeration!!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Rog Peek
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 04:32 PM

Some years ago, my mother in law charged with the task of buying some incontinent underpants for an elderly relative, went into a chemist (drug store), marched up to the counter and said to the shop assistant "do you sell continental pants here?"

By the way Georgiansilver, when people mistakenly call it a Robin Reliant, they are usually talking about the van in Only Fools and Horses, which is in fact not a Robin, but a Reliant Rebel - even more infuriating!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:31 PM

I had an aunt who reputedly went through an entire conversation with a new male acquaintance at a party, using the word "erotic" when she meant "erudite".
This probably wouldn't matter today, but 50 years ago.......

Georgiansilver, isn't "should of" a mispronunciation of "should've"?
I agree it's dreadful,when it's clearly "of", but I fear it's grammatically correct otherwise.

Paws

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:41 PM

found this one-

"I might just fade into Bolivian, you know what I mean?" — Mike Tyson

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:42 PM

When I was growing up in Sussex, there was a girl in our little group who would always point to tracks on the ground and exclaim " Look ! - Footsteps ! " She would also ,of course, when hearing someone approaching, say " I can hear footprints ! ". On a more recent note, the "Henley Standard" has been carrying an advertisemant for a very expensive house that was, apparently, " Formally two cottages " ! ---I wonder what it was informally ?? And, of course, there are regular references to the " Principle bedroom " !!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: bubblyrat
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:44 PM

An advertisemEnt, even !! OOps !!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: sneeble
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:48 PM

The one which always drives me crazy is brought and bought. I constantly hear "I brought a car/house/fruit today". My usual response which confuses people goes like this, "Really, where did you bring it from?". Most people don't understand my question.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Rog Peek
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 05:52 PM

Should've is an abbreviation for should have where the 'ha' is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe. It is quite often written as 'should of' by those who believe that this is correct.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 08:03 PM

Another quotation from the eponymous Mrs Malaprop (in Fowler s.v. malapropisms):

Sure, if I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs. (apprehend, vernacular, arrangement, epithets)

The line between malapropisms & eggcorns, and between them & folk etymologies, must sometimes be a fine one.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 08:40 PM

This is a dangerous thread to read. Now I will be wary of stumbling if I try to say oblivian.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: RangerSteve
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 08:47 PM

Working in a state park on the outskirts of Jersey City, we monitored the Jersey City Police radios. One night, I heard an officer report that he was pulling a woman over for erotic driving.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 09:35 PM

Some famous person..(I forget now, who)..once said that they were always VERY careful not to even try constructing a sentence about "circumscribing the world".

And I actually heard a little lid on the Art Linkletter show many years ago say in answer to Art's questioning that he'd "like to be an Octopus"!

"Why?"

"Becuase then I could wrap my testicles around everyone!"

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Micca
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 09:37 PM

Another I remember " It was a Virtual Tour de France" (instead of a "veritable tour de force")

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: TheSnail
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 11:07 PM

The man's a suppository of information.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: mrdux
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 02:33 AM

a couple of my favorites

"I don't like voting. Voting creates such decisiveness....."

                               - administrator of a non-profit organization, in response to the suggestion that a particularly contentious issue be put to a vote. March, 1998.



"In a perfect world, one should receive nothing but well wishes and blessings when one decides to enter into the sanctimony of marriage."

                                – an unnamed Hollywood publicist, speaking about Britney Spears. quoted by Stacy Jenel Smith, "Image Advice for Britney Spears." Netscape Network, 7 October, 2004


michael

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: sneeble
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 05:25 AM

I recently attended the work stall at a boat and had to say these words to fisherman - with a straight face "It's stimulate with pheromones". Nevertheless I had a very hard job keeping a straight face and the punters were worse.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: DMcG
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 07:36 AM

Just today, my wife, intending to say she was contemplating during a sermon in church, declared she was pontificating during it.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: bubblyrat
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 08:34 AM

She must have been on the horns of a Dalai Llama as to which one to choose-----and, in one Foul Swoop, got the wrong one !!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:01 AM

I can't decide which is worse...a horny llama, or lama.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:06 AM

Come to think of it, I'm not sure whether to worry more about a Dalai Lama, or a dallying llama....I suppose it depends on how horny they are.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Flash Company
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:22 AM

Our dear next door neighbour often says 'When will dinner be ready, Keith, I'm ravishing'. (She is, but I think she means ravenous!)

FC

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Alice
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:23 AM

I once had someone ask me what "kids" gloves were, and wouldn't they be too small for an adult.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Alice
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:23 AM

.... and why would something need to be handled with kids gloves.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Alice
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 10:35 AM

Annual company sales convention, the end of the week, one of the district managers
volunteered to go on stage and do an example of a sales presentation. One of the company trainers
role-played the part of a business owner, the manager started out with his presentation...
I CRINGED when the manager replied to one objection of the client with "no, that
is a MISNOMER" when he should have said, "that's a MISCONCEPTION"... I wondered
how many of the 500+ sales people in the audience even noticed the mistake.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: RangerSteve
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 11:10 AM

I don't suppose it's a true malapropism if I realize my mistake, but just this morning I made a reference to a movie "The Devil Wears Pravda".

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 11:12 AM

As you have noticed, Alice, it is sometimes a curse to have a good command of the language in a group where there is doubt about the overall level of comprehension.
You KNOW it is best to hold your tongue, but it sure is difficult at times!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 12:03 PM

Hilda Baker was the master of it of course but my late Mum-in-law had some good un's. She used to take anti-inflamable tablets as well as carving meat with a lacerated edge knife:-)

Dave

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 12:10 PM

Fun & Profit With Malaprops!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 01:32 PM

Just plain illiteracy, but when the theme of the week was that Obama was naive, I saw/heard a talking head GOP "consultant" on CNN say naivitivity (meaning, ironicaly, his lack of sophistication or worldliness.) I didn't believe it the first time, but she said it twice more, clear as day.

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Amos
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 01:47 PM

One could argue that a certain naivité is far preferable to abysmal ignorance.

Obama may be less scarred by hard experience than some, but he is no barbarian.


A

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 01:50 PM

Obama may be less scarred by hard experience than some, but he is no barbarian.

YEAH! ...it's Edwards who gets his $400 hair cut by his barbarian!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Micca
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 02:31 PM

he is the very flower of shovelry

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 03:19 PM

Here I always thought it was one fowl swoop!

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 03:27 PM

Nope. I have it one good authority that it is "One Fell Soup"

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Genie
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 04:16 PM

Actually, Kat, it's "one fell swoop" -- a term that confused me so much when I was a child that I tended to spoonerise it to "one swell foop."   (I guess it's originally a logging term or something like that.)

But I digress.

One malapropism I hear all too often, including in song, is the use of "hoi polloi" to (judging from context) mean "high brow" or "elite." It's obviously a confusion of "hoi polloi" (the "rabble" or "great unwashed") with "hoity-toity."

My brother -- who knows better -- once slipped during a lecture and referred to the movie "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf," in which the two main characters were "always throwing epitaphs at each other."

Then there's the common misspelling that yields: "I'm waiting with baited breath."
(I always wondered what one would use for the "bait.")

Subject: RE: Malapropisms
From: Amos
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 05:05 PM

LOGGING term? C'MAhn!!

Fell means cruel or evil. A swoop is a diving attack. A fell swoop is a cruel attack by a bird of prey.


A