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Folk etymology
Meaning
Noun
●
A
misunderstanding
of the
etymology
of a
word
based on an
inexpert
analysis; an
etymology
that
incorrectly
explains
the
origin
of a
word
based on the
inadequate
judgement
of a common
speaker
of the language
instead of
etymological
expertise.
●
A
modification
of a
word
or its
spelling
resulting
from a
misunderstanding
of its
etymology
,
as with
island
,
belfry
, and hangnail.
Sourced from
Wiktionary
Synonyms
Pseudoetymology
Paraetymology
Paretymology
Popular Etymology
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