MetaChat - What's it called

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30 September 2009

What's it called when you accidentally write a word that sounds somewhat similar to the word you actually meant to write? →[More:]

I know if it sounds the same it's a homophone (will and we'll, night and knight, oar and or, etc).

But what if it doesn't sound exactly the same, but just shares a few key sounds/letters? Like well and whale, or stop and spot, or walk and talk?

Does that just make me a moron?

I mostly notice it when I'm tired and my brain is shutting down for the night. It's like a Freudian slip sans the implied meaning.

post by: CitrusFreak12 at: 10:46 | 11 comments

brain fart?

posted by Stewriffic 30 September | 10:49

Eh, I use brain fart (or maladaptive brain activity change) to refer to when I forget a simple word like, I dunno, "magazine." Or I suddenly forget how to punch in my atm pin.

posted by CitrusFreak12 30 September | 10:54

malapropism

posted by Atom Eyes 30 September | 11:00

End of Days.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 30 September | 11:02

I came here to say malapropism. Just this morning, I offered my kid some coffee as an 'alternative' to an energy drink, since he didn't sleep at all last night. He responded, "MOM, I didn't ask you for an ultimatum, I asked you for an energy drink". Obviously he meant to say alternative.
Funny story. One time the kid and me were talking about an acquaintance who had recently done something shady. The kid wondered out loud what this individual's "interior modem" might be, when he obviously meant to say "ulterior motive". Having kids is good if for no other reason than you can point and laugh at them from time to time.

posted by msali 30 September | 11:11

Atom Eyes I do believe you are correct.

Also, I got a huge kick out of this from the wikipedia article:

Alanis Morissette unintentionally misused the term 'malapropism' when she commented on her misuse of the term 'ironic' within her song "Ironic".

posted by CitrusFreak12 30 September | 11:46

Alzheimer's.

posted by deborah 30 September | 13:53

Don't you mean Old Timer's?

posted by Atom Eyes 30 September | 14:11

Farding?

posted by buzzman 30 September | 15:46

The Internet

posted by Doohickie 30 September | 22:01

"Types of speech errors include: exchange errors, perseveration, anticipation, shift, substitution, blends, additions, and deletions." - Wikipedia article for "speech errors"

Stop and Spot would be an exchange error. I'd give you more, but my brain is also shutting down.

posted by Eideteker 30 September | 22:02

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