What Is a Malapropism Definition and Examples

The term  malapropism refers to the incorrect use of a word in place of a similar-sounding word, typically with a humorous result. Malapropisms are usually unintentional, but they can also be used intentionally to create a comic effect. Whether accidental or deliberate, malapropisms often turn serious statements into funny ones.   Malapropisms are sometimes called  acyrologia  or  phonological word  substitutions. History of the Term The word malapropism is derived from the  French word â€Å"malapropos,† meaning being improper or inappropriate. However, malapropism did not enter common parlance as a grammatical term until  the publication of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1775 play  The Rivals. The Rivals  featured a comedic character named Mrs. Malaprop, who frequently confused  words  that sound alike but have wildly different meanings. Some of her  mistakes included substituting the word contagious for contiguous  Ã¢â‚¬Å"contagious countries† and geometry for geography.  These slip-ups earned her big laughs from audiences and resulted in the creation of the term malapropism. William Shakespeare was known for using malapropisms in his work. He called the verbal mistakes Dogberryisms, named after a character from  Much Ado About Nothing. Just like Mrs. Malaprop, Dogberry frequently conflated similar-sounding words, much to the audiences amusement.   Common Malapropisms In everyday life, malapropisms are frequently used unintentionally. Malapropisms can muddle the meaning of a sentence, and they often generate a laugh at the speakers expense. Remember that  just because two words look  or sound alike, they do not necessarily have similar meanings. Here are some of the most common malapropisms.   Jive vs. Jibe: The term â€Å"jive† refers a dance style, while â€Å"jibe† refers  to two or more entities complementing each other. Peanut butter and jelly do not â€Å"jive,† but the two tasty spreads certainly do â€Å"jibe when combined in a sandwich.  Statue vs.  Stature: A â€Å"statue† is a sculpture of a person, place, or thing. The term stature† refers to an individuals height or reputation. You can describe a person as having an impressive stature, not an impressive statue — unless theyve just had their likeness memorialized in bronze.Erratic vs. Erotic: The word erratic describes something that is unpredictable and irregular. Dont confuse it with the word erotic, which refers to something that is suggestive of sexual desire.  Calling someones behavior erratic has a very different implication  than calling someones behavior erotic.  Installation vs.  Insulation: When you order a new refrigerator, chances are youâ€⠄¢ll have to pay for installation: the process of physical set-up. But if you take your coffee to go, you’ll want to keep it in a thermos with insulation, which is a special material that retains heat. You wouldn’t say, â€Å"My thermos has lots of installation,† but you might say, â€Å"It has proper insulation.†Monotonous vs. Monogamous: A monotonous job is a boring one. A monogamous relationship is one that involves two people only. Telling your spouse you don’t want a â€Å"monogamous lifestyle† when you actually meant â€Å"monotonous lifestyle† can land you in some serious trouble. Malapropisms in Popular Culture Celebrities and other public figures have used plenty of malapropisms over the years.  Their verbal slip-ups generate lots of laughs and often enter the permanent pop culture record. Here are some of the funniest malapropisms in recent memory. â€Å"Texas has a lot of electrical votes.†Ã‚  New York Yankee  Yogi Berra meant to discuss â€Å"electoral† votes. Electrical votes do not exist,  unless  you’re voting on the best electrician.â€Å"We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile.†Ã‚  Its true that terrorists may be  Ã¢â‚¬Å"hostile† (or unfriendly) to our nation, but President  George W. Bush  meant to use the word hostage: hold this nation hostage or hold our allies hostage. (the act of detailing a prisoner).â€Å"Alcoholics  Unanimous.† Chicago’s former mayor Richard J. Daley swapped the word â€Å"anonymous† (unknown or nameless) with â€Å"unanimous† (consistent or united). The resulting malapropism suggests an organization that unites individuals with alcoholism.â€Å"Listen to the blabbing brook.†Ã‚  Comedian Norm Crosby is known as â€Å"The Master of Malaprop. In this line, he ca lls a brook blabbing (as though it wont stop talking) when he really means babbling (which refers to the soft sound of water flowing).â€Å"Why, murders the matter! Slaughters the matter! Killings the matter! But he can tell you the perpendiculars.† Here, The Rivals  infamous  Mrs. Malaprop uses the word â€Å"perpendiculars† (which refers to two lines at a 90 degree angle) when she should have used â€Å"particulars† (which refers to the specific details of a situation).