SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

folk etymology

noun

Definition of folk etymology

: the transformation of words so as to give them an apparent relationship to other better-known or better-understood words (as in the change of Spanish cucaracha to English cockroach)

1882

First Known Use of folk etymology

1882

Learn More about folk etymology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk etymology

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