MALAPROPISM


Meaning of MALAPROPISM in English

n. (also malaprop) the use of a word in mistake for one sounding similar, to comic effect, e.g. allegory for alligator.

[ Mrs Malaprop (f. MALAPROPOS) in Sheridan's The Rivals (1775) ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.