Malaprops: the importance of

choosing your words carefully.

©2012 Writing for Others

Misused word or phrase that results in a nonsense sentence or expresses something completely different than what was intended.◦ And totally aided and abetted by Spell Check!

Origin of the word◦ Mrs. Malaprop

Character who misused words to funny effect in 1775 play (The Rivals by R.B. Sheridan)

From the French “mal a propos” – to propose badly

“I hope I at least win the constellation prize.”

consolation

“It’s déjà vu all over again.”

“99% of the game is half mental.”

“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours.”◦ Yogi Berra

“I resemble that remark!”

Stan Curly Howard ◦ resent

“Listen to that blabbing brook.”

Norm Crosby ◦ babbling

“I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well." George Bush II◦ successors

"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."Dan Quayle◦ bonding

“I just might fade into Bolivia, you know what I mean?”Mike Tyson◦ oblivion

Antidote◦ cure

Anecdote◦ story

Anticdote◦ ??? (no such word)

Principal◦ person (think “pal”)

Principle◦ idea

Weary (pronounced weer-ee)◦ tired

Wary (pronounced ware-ee)◦ afraid

The word “don't” is a contraption. ◦ contraction

The monster is just a pigment of your imagination. ◦ figment

Good punctuation means not to be late. ◦ punctuality

He had to use a fire distinguisher. ◦ extinguisher

He's a wolf in cheap clothing. ◦ sheep’s

I guess I'll have to start from scraps. ◦ scratch

Michelangelo painted the Sixteenth Chapel. ◦ Sistine

My sister has extra-century perception. ◦ extrasensory

Damp weather is very hard on the sciences.◦ sinuses

The flood damage was so bad they had to evaporate the city.◦ evacuate

They don’t understand the brevity of the situation.◦ gravity