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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)
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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
'Muskrat,' 'Helpmate,' and 6 More Folk...
'Muskrat,' 'Helpmate,' and 6 More Folk Etymologies
When logic meets language
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“Folk etymology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20etymology. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.
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Time Traveler for folk etymology
The first known use of folk etymology was in 1882
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