SPOONERISM


Meaning of SPOONERISM in English

ˈspünəˌrizəm noun

( -s )

Etymology: William A. Spooner died 1930 English clergyman and educator noted for such lapses + English -ism

: a transposition of usually initial sounds of two or more words that generally creates a comic effect (as in votey heart for hearty vote, occupewing a pie for occupying a pew ) ; especially : such transposition done intentionally and so that the consequent formations are attested words (as in tons of soil for sons of toil, ears and sparrows for spears and arrows )

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.