This week’s theme
People who have become verbs

This week’s words
pythagorize
malaprop
nestorize
dewitt
aladdinize

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(MAL-uh-prop)

MEANING:

verb intr.: To misuse a word by confusing it with a similar-sounding word, producing a humorous effect. For example, “pineapple of perfection” for “pinnacle of perfection” (from the play The Rivals).

ETYMOLOGY:

After Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Richard Sheridan’s play, The Rivals (1775), who confused words in this manner. The name Malaprop is coined from French “mal à propos” (inappropriate). Earliest documented use: 1959.

USAGE:

“Why not throw caution to the birds, as he had malaproped, and make the call?”
Arnold Grossman; Going Together; Fulcrum Publishing; 2007.

See more usage examples of malaprop in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: