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  1. Nov 10, 2023 · One of the easiest ways to get words mixed up is to think of one word while trying to say another. This is how blends end up happening. These mistakes happen regularly in all languages and are usually easy to notice. One famous example in pop culture is from the 2004 film Mean Girls, where the main character Cady gets nervous and accidentally ...

  2. May 25, 2023 · Malapropism: This is when you substitute one word for another that sounds similar but means something completely different. The name stems from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in the 1755 play The Rivals, who said such things as “he is the very pineapple of politeness” (instead of “pinnacle”) and, ”she’s as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile” (instead of “alligator”).

  3. Mar 3, 2018 · However, normally that refers to a new word that makes sense when you combine two words, not an already established word that doesn't make sense in the context you intend. Urban slang for what happened when you said "handful" would be a brain fart or a senior moment. But neither of those specifically refers to saying the opposite of what you meant.

  4. Jun 12, 2021 · You can also stick with confuse, which is appropriate for mixing up two things. confuse (v.) If you confuse two things, you get them mixed up, so that you think one of them is the other one. I always confuse my left with my right. Collins. To mix up in the mind, to fail to distinguish, erroneously regard as identical, mistake one for another.

  5. Nov 15, 2012 · Two very well established examples I can think of are: Guesstimate (i.e. Guess + Estimate) Chillax (i.e. Chill + Relax) I guess I am meaning the process where two words are artificially combined into one, rather than when two words are combined to describe a new concept or item (e.g. Hatstand or lamppost).

  6. Jun 21, 2022 · Mixed Metaphors Explained: 8 Examples of Mixed Metaphors. A well-crafted metaphor uses consistent imagery ("hitting the nail on the head”); when you start mixing imagery ("hitting the nail on the nose"), you can create a type of malapropism known as a mixed metaphor. A well-crafted metaphor uses consistent imagery ("hitting the nail on the ...

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  8. Oct 29, 2024 · spoonerism is when a speaker mixes up the initial sounds of two words in a phrase. Although he was a well-respected scholar and reputedly a very intelligent man, he frequently mixed up his words. When politicians get their words mixed up while speaking in public, it is called a Malapropism, and it is often heard in the world of politics.