misheard phrases and words (eggcorns)

[Verdad]

Another subtle error: champing at the bit rendered as chomping at the bit. It's funny when a perversion seems to have a perfectly acceptable logic of its own—though this one could be kind of hard on the horse's teeth!

 

[Pure]

note to sr71

sr71 There's always the Americanization of "forte," which apparently now is complete. Americans have pronounced it "for-tay" for so long that the proper pronunciation ("fort") has pretty much gone away.
__________________

i hadn't thought of that. but it's not quite so clearcut, for those of us from a music background; to wit--

dictionary online:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/forte

for•te 1 [pronunciation] (fôr t , fôrt, f rt)
n.

1. Something in which a person excels.

2. The strong part of a sword blade, between the middle and the hilt.
________________________________________
[French fort, from Old French, strong, from Latin fortis; see fort.]

Synonyms: forte1, métier, specialty, thing

These nouns denote something at which a person is particularly skilled: Writing fiction is her forte. The theater is his métier. The professor's specialty was the study of ancient languages. Mountain climbing is really my thing.

Usage Note: The word forte, coming from French fort, should properly be pronounced with one syllable, like the English word fort. Common usage, however, prefers the two-syllable pronunciation, (fôr t[a-long] ), which has been influenced possibly by the music term forte borrowed from Italian.

In a recent survey a strong majority of the Usage Panel, 74 percent, preferred the two-syllable pronunciation. The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.
________________________________________
for•te 2 [pronunciation] (fôr t[a--long] ) Music

adv. & adj. Abbr. f

In a loud, forceful manner. Used chiefly as a direction.

n.
A note, passage, or chord played forte.
________________________________________
[Italian, strong, forte, from Latin fortis; see bhergh-2 in Indo-European roots.]
--

IOW, the 'ay' second syllable reflects the Italian, not just American booberie.

 

[Pure]

re doc

for those of us, including me, who missed doc's mondegreens reference, and wondered about Lady Mondegreen, it falls, not exactly under eggcorns, but next door, under misheard lyrics (of which many howlers have been posted on the 'net)..

english ballad often heard as:


Ye Highlands and ye Lowlands,
Oh, where hae ye been?
They hae slain the Earl O' Moray,
And Lady Mondegreen.

Last line: "And laid him on the green."

 

[theravenfox]

In feedback:

"You gave me the biggest organism I've had in years!"

Now, THAT'S talent...being able to create life from afar!