Word for Wednesday: Misnomer

blog home

In Word for Wednesday this week, we’ll be discussing the highly practical, yet underused word, ‘misnomer’.

A misnomer, in modern days is simply something incorrectly or misleadingly named. Its origins are potentially much more sinister: historically, a misnomer was someone wrongly convicted for the crimes of another.

The word misnomer, however, should be an easy one to remember… think ‘misnomer - misnamed’.

Here are just a few:

  • Starfish (not a type of fish)
  • Pencil lead (graphite)
  • Funny bone (the ‘funny’ sensation caused by the ulnar nerve and not a bone)

How many misnomers can you come up with?


22 Oct 2014
blog home

"Thank goodness for Spellzone during this remote learning phase. The site is easy for students to navigate independently and they're really enjoying the activities and spelling games. You get an awful lot for your money with Spellzone. Really reassuring is the very prompt response with helpdesk queries. I've very rarely needed the helpdesk, but when I have, the issue has been addressed and sorted within a very short time."

Sarah Taggart, Oasis Academy Lord's Hill