Misnomer

Misnomer

A misnomer is a term or name that is inaccurately or unsuitably applied to a person, an object, or a concept. It is derived from the Middle English word "misnoumer", which means "to misname". Misnomers often arise from an incorrect or incomplete understanding of the subject, or from a change in the subject's nature or characteristics over time.

Types of Misnomers

There are several types of misnomers, including:

• Etymological misnomer: This occurs when a word's current usage differs from its original meaning. For example, the term "hamburger" is derived from the German city of Hamburg, but it does not contain ham.

• Geographical misnomer: This is a place name that is geographically inaccurate. For example, the "West Indies" are not located in India, but were named by explorers who believed they had reached the Indian subcontinent.

• Zoological and botanical misnomer: These are names of animals or plants that are scientifically incorrect. For example, the "koala bear" is not a bear, but a marsupial.

Examples of Misnomers

Misnomers are common in everyday language and can be found in various fields, such as:

• Food and drink: "French fries" are not French, but Belgian. "White chocolate" is not chocolate, as it contains no cocoa solids.

• Science and technology: The "lead" in pencils is actually graphite. The "funny bone" is not a bone, but a nerve.

• Culture and society: The "Middle Ages" were not in the middle of anything, but were named so because they were between the fall of the Roman Empire and the start of the Renaissance.

See Also

• Malapropism
• Eggcorn
• Mondegreen
• Spoonerism

References

Misnomer Resources
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