The word "malapropism" comes from the character Mrs. Malaprop in the play "The Rivals" by Richard Sheridan. Mrs. Malaprop was known for frequently using words that sounded similar but had different meanings, leading to humorous misunderstandings.
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There was a play in which a Mrs. Malaprop over and over used the
wrong word. She might say she sent her dog to the kettle when she
meant kennel.
I wish I could remember the name of the play, but just
Google"Malaprop" and you'll find it.
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Malapropism originated from acharacter in the popular play:The
Rivals (1775) were Mrs Malaprop frequently uses inappropriate
language.
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The word malapropos is an adjective or adverb meaning "inappropriate" or "inappropriately", derived from the French phrase mal à propos (literally "ill-suited").[1] The earliest English usage of the word cited in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1630.[1] The terms malapropism and the earlier variant malaprop come from Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals, and in particular the character Mrs. Malaprop.[1] Sheridan presumably named his character Mrs. Malaprop, who frequently misspoke (to great comic effect), in joking reference to the word malapropos.