Eggcorn

What Is an "Eggcorn"?

An eggcorn is a term that an includes an incorrect word or phrase that derives from a logical mishearing (e.g., "escape goat" instead of "scape goat"). The word "eggcorn" was coined by linguist Geoffrey Pullum in 2003 after language expert Mark Liberman observed that the word "eggcorn," which had been mistakenly used instead of "acorn," was interesting due to the seed of an acorn being egg-shaped. Pullum proposed that "eggcorn" be used for an erroneous term that showed some logical sense. (Note that the "scape" derives from "escape," meaning there is logic behind the eggcorn "escape goat.")

The term "eggcorn" comes from a mishearing of "acorn." So, "eggcorn" is an eggcorn.

Eggcorn or Standard Malapropism?

The logical-sense element of an eggcorn is a key trait because it differentiates an eggcorn from a standard malapropism (a simple mishearing of a term). Put another way, an eggcorn derives from a logical mishearing of the sounds heard, while a standard malapropism derives from a simple mishearing of the sounds heard.

Here are some examples eggcorns:

eggcorn	logical sense
"cold slaw" "coleslaw"	Coleslaw is served cold. Therefore, the error is logical. (NB. It comes from the Dutch word "koolsla.")
"deep-seeded" "deep-seated"	Both terms express the idea of deeply entrenched.
"hunger pains" "hunger pangs"	The words "pains" and "pangs" are synonyms (i.e., the mean the same thing).
"Damp squid" "damp squib)"	Squids are damp, and this contributes to the mishearing. (NB: A squid is a sea creature. A squib is a flop or failure, e.g., a fizzing but non-exploding firework.)

Here are some examples of standard malapropisms:

standard malapropism	logical sense
"fading into Bolivia" "fading into oblivion"	There is no logic to this error. It is a simple mishearing.
"Let's precede." "Let's proceed."	There is no logic. It is a simple mishearing. Read more about precede and proceed.

Here is a great example to explain the difference between an eggcorn and a standard malapropism:

The term "electrical votes" is currently a standard malapropism for "electoral votes." However, when online voting replaces paper ballots, "electrical votes" will become an eggcorn.

Put another way, an eggcorn is plausible alternatives that happen to be incorrect.

Examples of Eggcorns

Here is a list of common malapropisms that are classified as eggcorns. Can you spot the logic in each one?

Eggcorn	Correct Version
beckon call	beck and call
damp squid	damp squib
deep-seeded	deep-seated
feeble position	fetal position
for all intensive purposes	for all intents and purposes
he's a wolf in cheap clothing	he's a wolf in sheep's clothing
home in	hone in
free reign	free rein
hunger pains	hunger pangs
in one foul swoop	in one fell swoop
jar-dropping	jaw-dropping
mute point	moot point
old-timers' disease	Alzheimer's disease
ripe with	rife with
sir name	surname
preying mantis	praying mantis
real trooper	real trouper
old wise tale	old wives' tale
self-depreciating	self-deprecating
to the manner born	to the manor born
wet your appetite	whet your appetite

Examples of Malapropisms That Are Not Eggcorns

Here is a list of standard malapropisms. These are created by a non-logical mishearing. In other words, they are not plausible alternatives. If you can add some logic to any of these, I'll move them up to the eggcorn list.

Standard Malapropism	Correct Version
baited breath	bated breath
biting my time	biding my time
Chester drawers	chest of drawers
doggy-dog world	dog-eat-dog world
duck tape	duct tape
eek out	eke out
just deserts	just desserts
nip it in the butt	nip it in the bud
on the spurt of the moment	on the spur of the moment
pass mustard	pass muster
statue of limitations	statute of limitations
to be specific	to be pacific
tow the line	toe the line
unbridged version	unabridged version
piece of mind	peace of mind

"Home In" and "Hone In" Are Not Malapropisms

The following two terms are often classified as malapropisms:

Term 1	Term 2
home in	hone in

"Home in" and "hone in" have the same meaning, they are both common, and they are both correct. It is probable that "home in" came after "hone in", but, as shown in the graph below, neither was common until the 1960s. You can use either term, but "home in" is now the more common.

More about "Peace of Mind" and "Peace of Mind"

The following two terms are correctly classified as malapropisms:

Term 1	Term 2
piece of mind	peace of mind

"Piece of mind" is a malapropism for "peace of mind" (i.e., a state of peacefulness). However, a term like "a piece of my mind" or "a piece of his mind" is not a malapropism for "peace of mind." In this expression, "a piece of [someone's] mind" means "to speak angrily to someone about something on your mind." So, "peace of mind" and "a piece of [someone's] mind" are different terms entirely. One is not a mishearing of the other.

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