Latin grammar term

User avatar
agibsonsw
SilverLounger
Posts: 2403
Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 22:21
Location: London ENGLAND

Latin grammar term

Post by agibsonsw »

I apologise in advance for the triviality of this topic, but it's driving me mad:
It is also important that you learn at your own paste
What is the formal Latin term for this word-substitution? I'm sure I encountered it recently but I've lost the word.

It is a malapropism (it is actually quite an ironic statement, as the person was talking about learning to program) but I believe there is a more formal Latin term?

But I believe there is more than one term for this:

One describes it as a simple error in choosing the word;
Another, although not quite appropriate here, describes substituting the wrong word which then becomes an accepted usage.

Again, sorry about this nonsense! (it's just hard to search.)
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.

User avatar
HansV
Administrator
Posts: 78237
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
Status: Microsoft MVP
Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands

Re: Latin grammar term

Post by HansV »

Probably not what you wanted: [sic]
Best wishes,
Hans

GeoffW
PlatinumLounger
Posts: 4024
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 07:23

Re: Latin grammar term

Post by GeoffW »

I believe that malapropism is the appropriate word- coming from the French word meaning inappropriate (or similar). Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's "The Rivals" made the word famous.

As an example our own prime minister once said that "nobody is the suppository of all wisdom".

"Sic" means "intentionally so written".

User avatar
Claude
cheese lizard
Posts: 6241
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: Latin grammar term

Post by Claude »

My Latin dictionary suggests vicissitudo
Cheers, Claude.

User avatar
John Gray
PlatinumLounger
Posts: 5401
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 08:33
Location: A cathedral city in England

Re: Latin grammar term

Post by John Gray »

The term for two (different!) words which sound the same is homophone. Sometimes the word homonym is used.
The origin of these is from Greek, not Latin, though!
John Gray

Venison is quiet deer, and quite dear.

GeoffW
PlatinumLounger
Posts: 4024
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 07:23

Re: Latin grammar term

Post by GeoffW »

While a homophone means two words sounding the same, this is not the same as a malapropism- which is the use of one word sounding a little similar to another but entirely different in meaning.

Where and wear and ware are homophones.

A police officer stating that he had comprehended two auspicious persons would be using a double malapropism.

I had to correct my autocorrect from making an unintentional malapropism when I typed in the word homophone.