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Named for William Archibald Spooner (22 July 1844 - 29 August 1930) Although a brilliant scholar, Spooner was known for his unwitting ability to transpose letters in words, giving a phrase a whole new meaning. Some of his more memorable utterances include:
During a toast to Her Highness Victoria: "Three cheers for our queer old dean!"
During World War 1: "When our boys come home from France, we will have the hags flung out."
At chapel: "Our Lord is a shoving leopard."
To a stranger sitting in the wrong place: "I believe you're occupewing my pie. May I sew you to another sheet?"
To a Dean's secretary: "Is the bean dizzy?"
When announcing the hymn 'Conquering Kings': "Kinkering Congs Their Titles Tale."
Commenting on a naval display: "This vast display of cattle ships and bruisers."
Officiating at a wedding: "It is kisstomary to cuss the bride."
The word "spoonerism" began appearing in popular use as early as 1885. Once when a group of students gathered outside his window, calling for him to make a speech, he replied: "You don't want to hear a speech: you just want me to say one of those... things."
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What is the origin of the word dadgummit?
"Dadgummit" is a spoonerism of "God damn it". It is an example of what is called a "minced oath".
If you speak too quickly might you utter spoonerism?
Spoonerism is a mistake in a person's speech where vowels, consonants, and morphemes are switched. These are often heard as slips of the tongue.
What is an antonym for spoonerism?
maybe proper language or speech with no misspeaking.
Definition of oxymoron and spoonerism?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. A spoonerism is a verbal error in which a speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to humorous effect, as in the sentence you have hissed the mystery lectures, accidentally spoken instead of the intended sentence you have missed the history lectures.
Where did the the word pregnant come from?
It come from the latin word Natas it is also how you get the word prenatal
Which category does spoonerism belong in?
what word category does spoonerism belong to
What part of speech is the word spoonerism?
Spoonerism is a noun, derived from the name of Reverend William Archibald Spooner, known for mixing up the initial sounds of words unintentionally.
What is the term for transposing letters of words when speaking?
Spoonerism is the unintentional exchange of letters or syllables between two words or even within a word. The word derives from a 19th Century Clergyman. Also Metathesis is the reversal of letters within a word.
What is dain bramage?
Slang/spoonerism for "brain damage" A "spoonerism" is attributed to Rev. William Archibald Spooner; 1900: http://everything2.com/title/Spoonerism ;)
What is the origin of the word dadgummit?
"Dadgummit" is a spoonerism of "God damn it". It is an example of what is called a "minced oath".
What does it mean when one makes a spoonerism?
What it means when you speak a spoonerism is you are changing the letters around in the sentence to make light of a subject or when you are making a mistake.
If you speak too quickly might you utter spoonerism?
Spoonerism is a mistake in a person's speech where vowels, consonants, and morphemes are switched. These are often heard as slips of the tongue.
What is called when you mix up letters?
a spoonerism
What is an antonym for spoonerism?
maybe proper language or speech with no misspeaking.
What is it called when you switch words or letters around when you are speaking?
A spoonerism!
Is runny babbit an example of a malapropism?
No, it is an example of a spoonerism. A spoonerism is the exchanging of the initial consonants of a pair of words, or the transferring of the initial consonant(s) of one word to the other word. Bunny rabbit/runny babbit. Well-oiled bicycle/well-boiled icicle. Down train/town drain. Crushing blow/blushing crow. Half-formed wish/half-warmed fish.
How do you use spoonerisms in a sentence?
Oh no, he had a spoonerism! Translates to -- Oh no, he had an accident!
