MALAPROPISMS V

The Word's The Thing

Dr. Louis D. Appel 

A malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in the place of a similar-sounding one, often with an unintentionally amusing result.

Examples: John is an arduous suitor.

                  Arduous is a malapropism for ardent.

 

                  Sometimes I feel like I might just fade into Bolivian.

                  Bolivian is a malapropism for oblivion.

 

For other examples, see MALAPROPISMS IV - Posted 3/10/21

Can you replace the malapropism in each sentence below with the correct word?

1. Her angry words participated a quarrel. 

2. He complained of pain in his abominable area.

 

3. Because of his poor grades, Jim was illegible.

 

4. He was guilty of a fragrant violation of the law.

 

5. Wilson is a strict disciplinarian - a real castanet.

 

6. In 1863 Lincoln emaciated the slaves. 

7. The elm tree is insidious to the United States.

8. You may contribute his uncouth behavior to his upbringing.

9. The boss favors his family and friends. I'm tired of his despotism.

 

10. The first three pieces were by Schubert, Bach, and Vivaldi respectfully.

Answers:

 

1. participated- precipitated

2. abominable - abdominal

3. illegible - ineligible

4. fragrant - flagrant

5. castanet - martinet

6. emaciated - emancipated

7. insidious - indigenous

8. contribute - attribute

9. despotism - nepotism

10. repectfully - respectively