play 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.

Up next

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

play video drive safe ly
Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.

play how to use a dictionary
How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings