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An incorrect use of words, especially the use of words that sound alike
but are far in meaning from the speaker's intentions. |
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Note:
Malapropisms are a kind of acyrologia. |
| Examples
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"I'm going
to get tutored!" (One dog brags to another in a Gary Larson Far Side cartoon)
The comedy of this cartoon results from acyrologia:
the dog has mistaken "neutered" for the less painful "tutored," a mistake
that changes the meaning entirely of what was intended.
"Oh, so your Health/PE class is bisexual."
"Co-ed" was meant for "bisexual." The misuse of
this word changes the meaning significantly.
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| Related
Figures |
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- cacozelia
A kind of acyrologia in which one uses newfangled speech or Latinate
diction in order to appear learned.
- paronomasia (punning)
Paronomasia shares with acyrologia the incorrect use of words, especially
of words distant in meaning but similar in sound; however, while acyrologia
is unintended (and so a vice), paronomasia is wordplay that is purposeful.
- Vices
Acyrologia is one of many figures of speech considered to be vices.
- Figures of Substitution
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| Related
Topics of Invention |
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- Notation
and Conjugates
This topic of invention plays off of the relationship between language
and what language represents, and therefore encompasses both acyrologia
and paronomasia.
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| See
Also |
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- Ethos
Acyrologia erodes the ethos of the speaker, for it portrays his/her
ignorance. However, if it is seen as a tool used by an implied author
to cleverly characterize a fictional person, it can contribute to
the speaker's/author's reputation for wit, or can endear the audience
through comedy.
- Levels of Style (low)
Using acyrologia reflects poor diction (word choice), thus demonstrating
a low level of style.
- Substitution
Acyrologia is one of many other figures of speech or rhetorical strategies
based upon substitution.
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Sources: |
Quintilian 8.2.3
("improprietas"); Isidore 2.20.1; Susenbrotus (1540) 11-12 ("acyrologia,"
"acyron"); Sherry (1550) 32 ("acyrologia," "improprietas"); Peacham (1577)
D1r |
