What Is a Malapropism? | Definition & Examples
A malapropism occurs when a word is accidentally replaced with a similar-sounding word (e.g., “prosperous” and “preposterous”).
This often results in a nonsensical or humorous statement. In literature and comedy, writers sometimes deliberately use malapropisms to inject humor or add color into their work.
She hurried to the doctor to get the anecdote (antidote).
My new winter jacket has really good installation (insulation).
Malapropisms do not only occur in fiction. They also occur in everyday speech.
What is a malapropism?
A malapropism is a type of linguistic error that occurs when we confuse a word or phrase with a similar-sounding one that has a completely different meaning (e.g., using “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”). Malapropisms turn serious statements into funny ones, often without the speaker realizing it.
The term “malapropism” is derived from the character of Mrs. Malaprop, who appeared in Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 play The Rivals. In the play, Mrs. Malaprop commits several verbal blunders. For example, she describes another character as “the very pine-apple of politeness” (instead of “pinnacle”). Over the years, the term has come to signify a funny slip of the tongue.
Malapropism examples
Malapropisms are often used intentionally as a literary device to create humor or absurdity and to satirize people pretending to be more sophisticated than they really are. Famous examples can also be found in pop culture more generally.
Malapropisms in literature
In William Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing, the chief of the citizens’ police (a character named Dogberry) often accidentally uses malapropisms while attempting to appear more intelligent.
Because the character of Dogberry became synonymous with verbal blunders, malapropisms are sometimes called “dogberries” or “dogberryisms.” One example can be seen in act III, scene V.
In this sentence, what Dogberry means is that the watch apprehended two suspicious persons.
Another example can be found in act IV, scene II.
In this sentence, Dogberry means that they will be condemned to everlasting damnation.
Malapropisms in pop culture
When politicians and other public figures use malapropisms, they sometimes become part of pop culture.
“Texas has a lot of electrical (electoral) votes.” 一New York Yankees baseball player Yogi Berra.
“I might just fade into Bolivian (oblivion).” 一Former professional boxer Mike Tyson
Malaphor vs malapropism
Malaphor and malapropism are both accidental language errors. However, they should not be confused.
A malaphor is the unintentional mashing of two idioms or phrases that results in unusual or humorous statements. For example, the phrase “it’s not rocket surgery” blends together the phrases “it’s not rocket science” and “it’s not brain surgery.” The term “malaphor” is a portmanteau of the words “malapropism” and “aphorism.”
Whereas malapropism refers to the unintentional replacement of a word with a similar-sounding one, malaphor blends two phrases into one. In both cases, the speaker’s intended meaning is usually clear.
Malapropism vs spoonerism
A malapropism may be confused with another verbal mistake called a spoonerism. With malapropisms, a word is substituted with another word that sounds similar, even though their meanings are different.
With spoonerisms, the initial sounds of a word are substituted with those of the next word. Examples of spoonerisms include “ kinquering congs” instead of “conquering kings” and “belly jeans” instead of “jelly beans.”
Frequently asked questions about malapropism
- What is the difference between a malapropism and a pun?
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Malapropisms and puns are similar in that they both replace a word with a similar-sounding word. However, they differ in their nature and effect.
A malapropism is an unintentional language error that typically has a humorous result (e.g., mixing up “amphibious” and “ambidextrous”). Malapropisms are generally mistakes, but they can sometimes be used for comedic effect (e.g., when a writer intentionally creates a character who accidentally uses malapropisms).
On the other hand, a pun is a deliberate play on words. Puns usually exploit similar-sounding words and double meaning to generate laughs, show wit, or create irony.
In other words, a malapropism occurs by mistake and results in a nonsensical or funny statement that the speaker never intended, whereas a pun is intentional and is used for comedic or rhetorical purposes.
- What is the difference between a malapropism and a spoonerism?
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Malapropisms and spoonerisms are both forms of language errors, but they should not be confused.
A malapropism is a verbal mistake that involves similar-sounding words with different meanings, like “monogamous” and “monotonous.”
A spoonerism, on the other hand, accidentally mixes up the sounds of letters or syllables of different words (e.g., “chork pops” instead of “pork chops”).
In short, malapropisms involve the unintentional distortion of words with similar sounds, while spoonerisms involve the swapping of sounds or letters between words.
