Funny Malapropism – Unnecessary Anniversary
The other day I came across an article on malapropism– Comical misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound. Reading the origin of the word was as interesting as the examples that followed. The word is related to Mrs. Malaprop, a comic character in an 18th century British comedy: The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Funny Malapropism
I am often reminded of the innocent funny malapropism usages by my kids. This incident happened when my elder daughter was just five+.
Unnecessary Anniversary
She wanted us to take her to a restaurant for dinner. “I want to go to the same restaurant we went that day.”
“Which restaurant do you want to go?” I queried.
She gave some vague description and I was not able to make out which one. Exasperated I asked, “Which day did we go there?”
“The one we went on your unnecessary day,” she promptly replied.
I was shell shocked, “You mean on our anniversary?” “It is pronounced as anni-ver-sa-ry not unnecessary.”
“Both are same, aren’t they?” she asked.
I stood speechless, while he roared with laughter.
Every anniversary we are reminded of her innocent confusion. Today she has developed good speaking skills, and she too laughs at the malapropism, “How could I say that?!”
Animal Day – Annual Day
Younger daughter at the age of 3+ or may be 4+ had this huge confusion between annual day and animal day. She was to dress up as royal Bengal tigress for her Montessori annual day.
Do you have any such humorous malapropism confusions?
(This post was first published on 27/11/2007.)
That was so cute and your account of it really enjoyable. Reminds me of several such words my daughter used and still uses now. One of those is when she says “supposed to”. She will always say “opposed to”. It leads to some really interesting statements.
Thanks for sharing it.
Bhaskaran will simply love this, and totally agree with your kid, and as if that were not enough will remember to tell me next August, “I keep telling you so…”!