You know that feeling when you realize the song lyrics you’ve been belting out at the top of your lungs are totally off-base? Sometimes the words you substituted make perfect sense, and sometimes they’re just plain wacky.

The same thing can happen with everyday words and expressions, especially those that border on the metaphorical. If you’ve ever ordered a side of “cold slaw” or complained about the harsh competition of a “doggy-dog world,” then you’ve used eggcorns (you know, the nut that falls from an oak tree? Oh wait…).

While realizing you’ve been using a technically incorrect expression might feel a little embarrassing, you’d hardly be the first. In fact, the thing about eggcorns is that the substitutions are actually plausible, and can make a lot of sense. In this post, we’ll be looking at the most common substitutes and their origins.

The Origins of Eggcorns

The term “eggcorns” was coined in 2003 by linguistics professor Geoffrey Pullum to describe the unwitting substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical.

However, unlike with malapropisms, which creates a nonsensical effect, the substitution made in an eggcorn actually is actually plausible—and sometimes makes even more sense than the actual, original term. Eggscorns are also sometimes referred to “oronyms.”

Common Eggcorns You Might Have Mistakenly Used

Below are 11 common eggcorns that are frequently mistaken for the original phrase. If you’ve used one or more of these, don’t worry—you’re in great company!

1. For all intensive purposes

One of the most common eggcorns, “for all intensive purposes” doesn’t sound very odd at all—you would assume it means all the purposes that matter.

However, the actual phrase is “for all intents and purposes,” which appears frequently in business or legal writing is a fancy way of saying  “in effect” or “practically speaking.”

2. Old-timers’ Disease

In a slightly funnier example, but one that makes just as much sense, “Alzheimer’s Disease”—a very real cause of dementia that mostly affects people over 65—is often mistaken as “Old-timer’s Disease.”

Of course, this eggcorn is understandable, given the average age of those who suffer from this disease, but finding such a term listed in a diagnostic book does seem unlikely.

3. Doggy-dog world

Unless you have cynophobia, a “doggy-dog world” doesn’t sound all that bad—in fact, it elicits images of play-pins full of cuddly puppies ready to give you all the snuggles your overstressed heart desires.

So if you’ve said this eggcorn, then, you might wonder why it’s used to describe a world of ruthless backstabbers who will do whatever it takes to make it to the top. That’s because the actual term is “a dog-eat-dog world.” Not so cute now, is it?

5. Curve your hunger

“Curve your hunger,” or “curve your appetite,” is often used as a way to tell someone to suppress their appetite and hold out for meal time. It kind of makes sense—if you picture your hunger growing exponentially on a graph, you might try to make it curve so it stops racing off to infinity.

But the term you’re actually looking for here is “curb” your hunger, which means to contain it. The term gets its origins from the “curbs” that were once used to control unruly horses.

6. Cold slaw

I don’t know about you, but my “cole slaw” is always cold, so I guess the reasoning for this eggcorn makes sense too.

This side dish staple got its name from the Dutch term “koolsla,” which means “cabbage salad.” And to be fair, warm slaw just doesn’t sound right.

4. Social leopard

Here’s another one that sounds much more fabulous than what it actually is. A “social leper” is someone who is either very antisocial, or deliberately avoided by other people.

It has nothing to do with a leopard who likes to party, nor the leopard blouse you wear to go out with your girlfriends on Fridays.

7. Card shark

You’d be easily forgiven for using this eggcorn, since “shark” would appear to describe someone who’s sly and cunning enough to deceive you in a card game.

But if you’re playing against Mack the Knife in a game of Texas hold ’em, you wouldn’t call him a “card shark,” but rather “card sharp.” The eggcorn has become so ubiquitous though, that you can now find it in Merriam-Webster.

8. Peak interest

What’s one subject at school that really peaked your interest? Err, actually, whatever the subject, it piqued your interest.

“Peak” makes sense in context, since “peak” literally means to “reach a highest point.” But whoever came up with this phrase chose the word “pique,” which means to stimulate, as in one’s interest or curiosity.

9. Mixmatch

Did your mom every dress you in mix-matched clothes when you were a kid? That had to be embarrassing.

But you might also be a little embarrassed when you realize they weren’t actually mix-matched, but “mismatched”—as in, items were put together that really shouldn’t have gone together.

Of course, you could always use the verb phrase, “to mix and match,” which means to create new combinations out of several pieces.

10. Free reign

If you’ve ever been given “free reign” on a project, you probably thought your boss let you “reign” over your little domain and make all the decisions.

But actually, she gave you “free rein,” like a horse that’s freed, or like when Santa leaves Rudolph in charge at the North Pole.

11. Preying mantis

Many of us mistakenly write “preying mantis” when referring to this insect that can be quite the ferocious predator. They’re known to eat other insects, and even small birds and reptiles, and the females are said to occasionally eat their male partners while mating.

But this vicious mantis actually has a religious side—kind of. Their name is really the “praying mantis,” so called for the way their front legs seem to bend forward in prayer.

Happy Accidents

The thing about eggcorns is that sometimes, the “mistake” in wording or spelling can lead to new creations that are actually more effective than the “right” words.

Many eggcorns are so widely used that they’ve become acceptable alternatives in the English language. So while you should consult a dictionary when in doubt, don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your words now and then!

Have you been using any eggcorns without realizing it? We’ve all been there. Share your best goofs in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• The Most Important Basic Grammar Rules to Know
• Grammarly Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
• 10 Grammar Software Tools and Punctuation Checkers
• For All Intents and Purposes: What Does It Mean and How Can You Use It?