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What is the definition of malapropism?
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A malapropism in literature is a type of humor when a character uses a wrong, but similar word. For example, in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the nurse …says the word "confidence" when she really means conference , and "indite" instead of invite . The question remains, what was this type of humor called in Shakespeare's time? Seemingly, the word "malapropism" comes from a character (Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals ) created by Richard Sheridan, who wrote the same type of humor-- more than 100 years later..
Answer .
Malapropism is a comic or humerus [sic] misuse of language. It involves a word that is similar in sound to the word that is meant, often while using some familiar expression e.g. "a shrewd awakening," instead of "a rude awakening." From a character, Mrs Malaprop, in Sheridan's Restoration comedy The Rivals, but also from mal-a-propos (pronounced malla pro-POE) meaning inappropriate or out-of-place. (MORE)