folk etymology

noun

a modification of a linguistic form according either to a falsely assumed etymology, as Welsh rarebit from Welsh rabbit, or to a historically irrelevant analogy, as bridegroom from bridegome.
a popular but false notion of the origin of a word.

folk etymology

the gradual change in the form of a word through the influence of a more familiar word or phrase with which it becomes associated, as for example sparrow-grass for asparagus
a popular but erroneous conception of the origin of a word

First recorded in 1880–85

I moved to Washington in 1988 with the folk etymology of lobbyist firmly in mind.

The Tuna story is described as ‘a clear case of disease of language cured by the ordinary nostrum of folk-etymology.’

We must never confuse such myths of folk-etymology with myths arising (on the philological hypothesis) from ‘disease of language.’

Now, to give an etymology of a name of forgotten meaning is the sole object of folk-etymology.

At Queensferry, by a folk etymology, one of the lads wears a coat stuck over with burrs.

We have a bear Callisto (Artemis) in Arcady, where a folk etymology might explain it by stretching a point.

April 20, 2024flabbergast

[flab-er-gast ]

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