Folk-etymology


noun
1.
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.
2.
a popular but false notion of the origin of a word.
noun
1.
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
2.
a popular but erroneous conception of the origin of a word

Read Also:

  • Folkie

    [foh-kee] /ˈfoʊ ki/ Informal. noun 1. . adjective, folkier, folkiest. 2. of or relating to folk singers or folk music. /ˈfəʊkɪ/ noun (pl) -ies 1. a devotee of folk music n. “devotee of (modern) folk music,” attested by 1966, with -ie. Related Terms shoot blanks

  • Folkiehood

    noun The milieu, attitudes, etc, of folk-music performers and devotees: as sure as she rejects that of ether-dwelling, confessional folkiehood (1990s+)

  • Folkish

    [foh-kish] /ˈfoʊ kɪʃ/ adjective 1. of or resembling the common people: folkish crafts. 2. resembling or based on folklore, , or dances: a violin concerto that is strongly folkish.

  • Folklife

    [fohk-lahyf] /ˈfoʊkˌlaɪf/ noun 1. the everyday of the common people, especially of a particular region, country, or period: 18th-century New England folklife. noun the way of life of those who live in a rural area

  • Folk-linguistics

    noun, (used with a singular verb) 1. speculation and popular views about language.


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