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malapropism

mal·a·prop·ism

malapropism

 
 
pronunciation:
mae l pra pih zm
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition: the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, esp. by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate, as in "waddling in self-pity," rather than "wallowing".
She accused him of "waddling in self-pity," which had them both laughing at her malapropism.
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