Word for Wednesday: Misnomer

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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
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