"malapropism" Definition - English Dictionary

Definitions for the word "malapropism" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. n.

Comical misuse of a word in mistake for one sounding similar, e.g. Alligator for allegory. [mrs malaprop, name of a character in sheridan''s the rivals]

Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884

2. slang

an ignorant, vulgar misapplication of language, so named from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Sheridan’s famous comedy of the _Rivals_. Mrs. Partington afterwards succeeded to the mantle of Mrs. Malaprop; but the phrase Partingtonism is as yet uncoined, for the simple reason that Mrs. Malaprop was the original, Mrs. Partington the imitation.

Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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