malapropism

• Unbeabsichtigte Verwendung eines Wortes anstelle eines ähnlich klingenden anderen, oft mit komischer oder unsinniger Wirkung. Auch eine solche Wortverwechslung selbst.

A noun referring to the unintentional misuse of a word by confusing it with a similar-sounding word, often resulting in a humorous or nonsensical effect.

1. Misuse of a wordC1formal

   The accidental or humorous use of a word that sounds similar to the intended word but has a different meaning, often resulting in confusion.

   Versprecher durch Wortverwechslung

   • He said 'a rolling stone gathers no moths' instead of 'moss', which is a classic malapropism.
   • Her statement about 'a blessing in the skies' was a funny malapropism for 'a blessing in disguise'.
   • The character in the play frequently committed malapropisms, mixing up 'pneumonia' with 'one mania'.

   Synonymecatachresismisapplicationsolecism