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Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:37 am
by Colonel Panic_Archive
One of my faves has always been when douchebags misuse the term mano a mano to mean "man to man".
As in: "I need to talk with you, mano a mano."
In such cases, it's best to just let it go. Nothing can possibly be gained by correcting them.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:51 am
by Ty Webb_Archive
FuzzBob wrote:The MayorofRockNRoll wrote:Everybody's gotta have their tenants to live by
Unless they're feeling rebellious and decide to "flaunt" tradition.
If I'm reading you right, that would actually be a correct use of the word. "Flaunt" can mean to treat with disdain or to dismiss derisively.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:53 am
by Colonel Panic_Archive
As of yet, I have never heard the word "flaunt" used in that way.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:55 am
by Ty Webb_Archive
Funnily enough, it's most often used in a phrase like "flaunt tradition" or "flaunt the rules."
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:00 am
by Colonel Panic_Archive
That's a proper usage?
I guess it could mean flaunting the rules as in, "Ha ha! Look at the rules! And here I am breaking them right in front of you! Neener-neener-neener" etc.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:03 am
by Ty Webb_Archive
Yep, totally proper usage.
Obviously, it probably started as a malapropism with "flout," but it has been used in this context for so long and in such varied sources, that it has become accepted usage, as words often do. Language, she is a beautiful thing.
That being said, I use "flout". You know, just to be extra correct and prissy about my diction, which I usually am.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:10 am
by Colonel Panic_Archive
Whoa, dude. Too much information there.
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:39 pm
by Ty Webb_Archive
You mean about my diction being well groomed despite getting such heavy use?
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:30 pm
by Linus Van Pelt_Archive
I recently saw a company who showed preference to men over women described as 'Shogunist.'
Favorite Malapropism
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:32 pm
by Colonel Panic_Archive
Ty Webb wrote:That being said, I use "flout".
So that makes you a "floutist" then?