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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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play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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i.e. vs. e.g.

 

Often used, often confused. Here's some guidance and insight.

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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How to Remember the Spelling of 'Definitely'

 

A definitive answer.

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The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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