An "eggcorn" for those who don't know, is a word or phrase that results from a mishearing. It is similar to a malapropism which is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound.
All in good fun here, but makes an eggcorn different is that it is actually an indication of creative intelligence whereas a malapropism often just springs from someone trying to use fancy words that are too big for them. Eggcorns come about when someone attempts to use an analogy and logic to make sense of an expression they may have once heard.
An eggcorn doesn't just sound the same, it also retains it's original intent. So a phrase like "free rein" which has to do with horses, soon becomes "free reign" which has to do with royalty. Never mind the subject, the meaning of that phrase not only sounds the same, it means the same thing, to let your horse or your royalty roam free, unhindered, unrestrained. It doesn't matter if one is "reigned over" or "reined in," it still means to be hindered, controlled.
"Sir-name and sur-name" can be an eggcorn. I happen to frequently type "ex-patriot" for "expatriate," yet another eggcorn. "Baited breath" instead of "bated breath" is an amusing one. If one's breath actually does smell like bait than "bating," holding one's breath makes complete sense. Clearly baited breath should be restrained so you don't breathe on anyone. It makes complete sense.
Culture, dialects, accents, all play a role in creating eggcorns. I happen to enjoy them, they give me a sense of hope, they demonstrate someone has made an effort to understand and communicate, and they are refreshingly logical. Not very much in the world is logical anymore so catching a glimpse of someone using creative intelligence and a bit of logic to solve a communication problem just makes my heart sing.
Alas, I often miss a lot of amusing eggcorns on account of the fact that I communicate quickly so I am looking for intent and meaning behind the analogies rather then actual words. I also tend to read invented spelling rather smoothly, all skills that make me a good communicator, but a terrible editor. You can spell terribly, use bad grammar, trash the entire English language, and I will barely notice if you just have a good story to tell.
Please, go forth and sow many eggcorns. The world has a great need for them.
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