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Literary Devices

Figure of Speech · Sound Device

Malapropism

Malapropism is a figure of speech in which a word is used incorrectly in place of a word that sounds similar but has a different meaning. It is often used for humorous effect, as the resulting phrase or sentence can be nonsensical or absurd. The term "malapropism" comes from the character Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's play The Rivals, who frequently used incorrect words to humorous effect. Malapropisms can be intentional or unintentional, and they can occur in both spoken and written language.

A malapropism substitutes the wrong word for an intended word because the two sound similar. Infer the intended word, then explain how the mistaken meaning changes the statement or characterizes the speaker.

The mayor promised to preserve the town's historical hysterics.
Hysterics mistakenly replaces the similar-sounding history or historical record.

See it in language

Examples of Malapropism

  1. The mayor promised to preserve the town's historical hysterics.

    Instructional example

  2. Please be pacific when you describe the problem.

    Instructional example

    Pacific substitutes for specific, producing an unintended meaning.

  3. Her explanation was completely inflammable.

    Instructional example

    Inflammable is mistakenly used where infallible is intended.

Show more examples
  1. "I can't believe they fired me. I was their number one instigator."

    — The intended meaning is "employee," a person who works for a company. The incorrect word "instigator" creates a humorous image of a person who causes trouble and unrest at work.

  2. "I'm not a vegetarian, I'm a humanitarian."

    — This malapropism from Bill Hicks is a play on the similar-sounding words "vegetarian" and "humanitarian."

  3. "I don't want to be a laughing stalk."

    — This malapropism mixes up the words "laughingstock" and "stalk," creating a humorous image of a person who is only good for making people laugh.

  4. "It's déjà vu all over again."

    — This intentional malapropism from Yogi Berra is a play on the French phrase "déjà vu" and the English word "again."

  5. "I'm not very good at geography. I can't even find the United States on a map of America."

    — This malapropism mixes up the words "United States" and "North America," creating a humorous image of a person who thinks the United States is the only country in North America.

Read like an editor

How to recognize it

  1. Find a contextually inappropriate word.
  2. Infer a similar-sounding word that would make sense.
  3. Explain the semantic mismatch and its comic or characterizing effect.

Meaning and effect

Why writers use Malapropism

Develop theme
Its pattern can develop theme in context.
Develop tone
The device can develop tone through its distinctive textual mechanism.
Engage readers
Writers may use it to engage readers for readers.

Common confusion

Malapropism vs. Spoonerism

Both can create speech errors, but their mechanisms differ.

Malapropism

A wrong whole word replaces a similar-sounding intended word.

“Be pacific about the details.”

Spoonerism

Sound components transpose between words.

“A blushing crow replaces a crushing blow.”

What's the Difference?

Follow the idea

Related devices

Questions readers ask

Frequently asked questions

Must a Malapropism be accidental?

No. An author can deliberately give a character an accidental-seeming substitution.

Does a spelling error count?

Not unless it creates the relevant wrong-word substitution based on sound resemblance.