Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris Are you getting these wrong too? | EGGCORNS
Apr 17, 2024
Dive into the delightful world of eggcorns, where misheard phrases bring laughter and creativity to language. Discover amusing examples like 'chomping at the bit' and 'bald face lie' that reveal the playful nature of misinterpretation. Explore how the evolution of language allows for these entertaining mistakes. The conversation also delves into the charm of mondegreens, misstated song lyrics, and personal anecdotes, showcasing the joy and humor found in the quirks of everyday speech.
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What An Eggcorn Is
- An eggcorn is a misheard phrase that swaps a familiar-sounding word for the original one.
- The substitution usually still makes sense but is etymologically incorrect.
Common Medical Mix-Ups
- Rob Watts lists many medical eggcorns like "old timers disease," "mind grains," and "corporal tunnel syndrome."
- These examples show that technical jargon often spawns predictable mishearings.
Coinage Story Behind 'Eggcorn'
- Rob Watts recounts how linguists named 'eggcorn' after a letter where someone wrote about 'egg corns' instead of acorns.
- The coinage came from noticing a plausible mishearing that made folk sense.