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mrs malaprop
Words at Play

What is a malaprop?

Editor Peter Sokolowski will tell you all the perpendiculars

A malapropism, or malaprop, is the usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase, especially the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously wrong in context—like polo bears instead of polar bears.

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What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

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Hot Mess

 

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African American English

 

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

Games & Quizzes

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