misnomer

noun

a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.

an error in naming a person or thing.

Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English < Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French mesnomer to misname, equivalent to mes- mis-¹ + nomer < Latin nōmināre; see nominate

Can be confused: misnomer, mistake (see synonym study at mistake).

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World English Dictionary

misnomer (ˌmɪsˈnəʊmə)

—n
1.	an incorrect or unsuitable name or term for a person or thing
2.	the act of referring to a person by the wrong name

[C15: via Anglo-Norman from Old French mesnommer to misname, from Latin nōmināre to call by name]

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00:10

Misnomer is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

misnomer

mid-15c., from Anglo-Fr., from M.Fr. mesnomer "to misname," from mes- "wrongly" (see mis- (2)) + nomer "to name," from L. nominare "nominate" (see nominate).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences

Chronic fatigue is in part a misnomer.

Thats probably a misnomer and its the observable universe is expanding.

The nickname would appear to be a misnomer this year.

The name, however, is a bit of a misnomer.

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Related Words

mistake

Matching Quote

"Working mother" is a misnomer. . . . It implies that any mother without a definite career is lolling around eating bon- bons, reading novels, and watching soap opera. But the word "mother" is already a synonym for some of the hardest, most demanding work ever shouldered by any human. . . . It is one she cannot easily give up for several decades. It can be slavery, joy in work, a magnificent career. It can be failure or triumph, but it can never be insignificant or unimportant since it is one "job" affecting the outcome of another's life"

-Liz Smith

misnomer

mis·no·mer