In the world of language, people often experience the amusing side of words. Funny and much-loved quotes from literature and pop culture can be found and gathered, giving us a chuckle. Literature, which holds a special place for the written word, always finds a way to add ado to spoken language. As Sarah Palin once said, “All of ’em, any of ’em that have been in front of me over all these years.” Sometimes, it’s not intentional, but it will get someone laughing.
William Shakespeare, one of the most famous writers in history, is known for his creative use of language. In his play “Much Ado About Nothing,” one of his characters, Dogberry, says, “Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons, and exactly tied, sir, for, indeed, they were never marked with anything you had succeeded in writing there; intoxication, insanity, and erotic installation.” It’s an erratic choice of words that leaves people scratching their heads.
Another classic example is from Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn.” Here, Huck says, “You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There were things which he stretched, but mainly, he told the truth.” It’s an unintentional mix-up of the word “stature” with “statue”.
Even in pop culture, malapropisms make their way into the media. In the popular TV show “Friends,” Joey Tribbiani once famously said, “It’s a moo point. It’s like a cow’s opinion; it doesn’t matter. It’s moo.” The word “moo” is a hilarious mix of the similar-sounding words “moot” and “moo.”
When it comes to sports, athletes are not immune to making funny malapropisms. Yogi Berra, the famous baseball player, once said, “Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.” His muddled math aside, Yogi’s wit and humor are a favorite among fans.
So, here’s a selection of 25+ hilarious malapropism quotes from literature and pop culture. Whether intentional or accidental, these quotes will surely get you laughing.
Shakespearean Malapropisms
“To be or not to be, that’s the jibe.” – In this famous line from Hamlet, Shakespeare may have accidentally added a touch of humor by replacing “jive” with the intended word “be.” The confusion between jive and be gives the line a whole new meaning and adds a lighthearted twist to the existential question.
“All the world’s a salad, and all the men and women merely eggs.” – In his play As You Like It, Shakespeare seemingly mixed up the words “stage” and “salad,” resulting in a rather comical image of the world as a giant bowl of greens. The substitution of “eggs” for “actors” further adds to the confusion and creates a whimsical atmosphere.
“The course of true love never did run smooth, but it sure gathers moss.” – This is a hilarious line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream where Shakespeare appears to have mistakenly swapped “moss” for “smooth.” The image of love collecting moss as it progresses is both nonsensical and amusing, bringing a touch of levity to the play.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as monogamous.” – In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare famously wrote “monogamous” instead of the intended word “sweet.” This malapropism creates a humorous and unexpected association between the scent of a rose and the concept of monogamy, adding a playful twist to the romantic dialogue.
“Huck, you’re missing the whole point of having fun – it’s all about the huckleberry!” – This misquote from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an example of a malapropism known as an eggcorn. The original line is “Huck, you’re missing the whole point of having fun – it’s all about the journey!” However, the incorrect use of “huckleberry” instead of “journey” in this adaptation has become a popular and funny misinterpretation.
“A little presumption in an author is a good function thing.” – In Sheridan’s play The Rivals, the character Mrs. Malaprop confuses “presumption” with “consumption,” resulting in a humorous line about the positive aspects of being a presumptuous writer. This malapropism highlights the importance of choosing the right words and the potential for unintentional comedy in language.
These Shakespearean malapropisms serve as a reminder that even the greatest minds can make mistakes with words. They showcase the creativity and flexibility of language while providing a good laugh for readers and audiences. Whether intentional or accidental, malapropisms add a layer of humor and charm to literature and pop culture.
Classic Literature Malapropisms
One famous example of a classic literature malapropism comes from William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing.” In Act 3, Scene 5, Constable Dogberry tries to report a crime to the governor, Leonato, but instead of saying “comprehend all vagrom men,” he says “apprehend all vagrant men.” This mix-up of words gives the scene a comedic twist.
Another example comes from the classic novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain. In Chapter 9, Huck’s cousin, Miss Watson, scolds him for his wild behavior, saying, “You don’t take no interest in poetry and pictures, and you don’t learn to spell, and so on and so forth.” Instead of saying “so on and so forth,” Miss Watson says “so on and so forth.” This unintentional error adds humor to the scene.
Richard Sheridan’s play “The Rivals” also has its fair share of malapropisms. In Act 3, Scene 3, Mrs. Malaprop says, “He is the very pine-apple of politeness!” instead of saying “pinnacle of politeness.” This intentional use of words with similar sounds but different meanings creates a tongue-twisting comedic effect.
Malapropisms are not limited to literature; they can also be found in speeches by politicians, celebrities, and athletes. These slip-ups are often gathered and immortalized for posterity, providing entertainment for future generations.
Malapropisms in Contemporary Novels
- Eggcorn: One common type of malapropism is known as an “eggcorn,” which occurs when a word or phrase is misheard or misinterpreted, resulting in a new and amusing meaning. For example, a character might say “husband” instead of “hand” or “comedians” instead of “remains.”
- Makes for a good laugh: Malapropisms are a great way to inject humor into a story. They can lighten the mood and make the reader chuckle. For example, in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” the character Aunt Sally famously says, “He’s suited for nothing but erratic fruit,” meaning to say “exotic fruit.”
- Recorded for posterity: Malapropisms are often recorded and remembered because of their comedic value. They become part of the literary canon and are passed down from generation to generation. For example, William Shakespeare’s character, Mrs. Malaprop, is known for her preposterous misuse of words in “The Rivals.”
- Common in everyday language: Malapropisms are not just limited to literature; they can be found in everyday conversations as well. People often unintentionally use the wrong word, which adds a touch of comedy to their speech. For example, someone might say “monogamous” instead of “monotonous” or “installation” instead of “insulation.”
Malapropisms in Movies and TV Shows
One classic example of a malapropism in movies comes from the comedy “Airplane!” In a scene where a woman discusses her husband’s illness, she says, “He’s in the intensive care unit, and I wanted you to be informed. You’ll have to excuse his mononucleosis.” Instead of saying “monogamous,” she mistakenly uses “mononucleosis,” a viral infection. The mix-up creates confusion among the characters and guarantees a lot of laughs for the audience.
In the popular TV show “The Office,” the character Michael Scott often uses malapropisms to express his thoughts. For instance, he once said, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little ‘stitious’.” Here, he mistakenly combines the words “superstitious” and “stitious” to create a new and humorous word.
Another funny example of a malapropism in movies is found in the film “The Princess Bride.” During a scene, the character Vizzini exclaims, “Inconceivable!” In response, the character Inigo Montoya says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Here, Vizzini misuses the word “inconceivable” by using it to express disbelief, when in fact, it means something that is not able to be understood or imagined.
Malapropisms can also be a source of confusion and laughter in animated movies. In Disney’s “Aladdin,” the character Genie says, “Phenomenal cosmic powers! Itty bitty living space.” Instead of saying “confined” or “small,” he uses the incorrect phrase “itty bitty.” This slip-up emphasizes the humorous contrast between his enormous power and the small living quarters he is referring to.
In summary, malapropisms in movies and TV shows serve to entertain and amuse viewers with their accidental and muddled use of language. Whether they are used by comedians in stand-up routines or written by witty writers, these linguistic faux pas create moments of confusion and laughter, adding a touch of unique humor to the world of film and television.
Malapropisms in Songs and Music
One classic example comes from the song “Always” by Bon Jovi. Instead of singing “I wanna be with you,” Jon Bon Jovi accidentally sang “I wanna be your cousin.” This accidental slip of the tongue creates a preposterous image and adds a comedic twist to the song.
In the pop music realm, there are plenty of examples of malapropisms. Take the song “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé, where she sings “You got me looking so crazy right now” instead of “You got me looking so crazy in love right now.” This unintended mistake became a well-known line in the song, showing how malapropisms can sometimes be embraced and even replayed by listeners.
Even classical music is not immune to malapropisms. In William Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the character Bottom confuses the words “monarch” and “monotonous” while rehearsing for a play. This mix-up creates a humorous moment and showcases Shakespeare’s wit.
Musicians and songwriters often use malapropisms intentionally to add a comedic or playful element to their lyrics. For example, in the song “Artist in the Ambulance” by Thrice, the line “I’ve been kissed by a rose on the gray” is a play on words, intentionally using the wrong color to create a vivid and unexpected image.
Malapropisms can also be found in the world of hip hop and rap. In the song “No Vaseline” by Ice Cube, he raps “You’re like a kid, you found a pup and now you’re dapper” instead of “You’re like a kid, you found a puppy now you’re in trouble.” This intentional malapropism adds a touch of humor to the lyrics.
Overall, malapropisms in songs and music are common and celebrated. Whether intentional or accidental, these mistakes and mix-ups provide a fun and lighthearted element to the creative world of music.
FAQ
Can you explain what malapropism is?
Malapropism is a figure of speech that occurs when a person uses a word incorrectly by substituting it with a word that sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
What are some examples of malapropism in literature?
In literature, there are many examples of malapropism. One famous example is from William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing,” where the character Dogberry says, “Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons.” Instead of saying “apprehended,” he says “comprehended,” which changes the meaning of the sentence.
Are malapropisms only found in literature, or do they occur in pop culture as well?
Malapropisms can be found in both literature and pop culture. In pop culture, there are countless examples, such as when Yogi Berra said, “Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical.” This is a classic example of a malapropism, as he meant to say “the other 10%,” but instead said “the other half.”
Why do people use malapropisms?
People often use malapropisms unintentionally, as they mix up similar-sounding words or phrases. It can also be used deliberately for comedic effect, as it can create humorous situations and misunderstandings.
