Post #3826905

2026-07-14 15:50 UTC

An 'eggcorn' is an incorrect but oddly appropriate substitution for a word (see my WordFriday definition: https://www.facebook.com/WordFriday/posts/596606817093946). Over the years I've encountered some initialisms in software that have been expanded in a way that might be considered eggcornish, e.g., UML as Universal Markup Language (certainly reflecting the aspirations of some of overly vocal advocates) and BDD as Business-Driven Development. What eggcorns or similar have you come across?

Replies (5)

@m1ke@phpc.social 2026-07-15 07:19

@kevlin@mastodon.social as a dyslexic, my wife has a whole stock of these that she is only recently realising were the "wrong" word: 'off piece' <> 'off piste' but means the same thing if you understand the former to be about sheet music 'corner off' <> 'cordon off' but cordons may often be found to have corners, and people within them may feel cornered 'part of the course' <> 'par for the course' same sentiment, less knowledge of golf required

Open ##3826904
@oantolin@mathstodon.xyz 2026-07-14 16:39

@kevlin@mastodon.social I didn't know that penthouse and causeway were (originally) eggcorns! That's great.

Open ##4300949
@PaniczGodek@functional.cafe 2026-07-15 08:03

@kevlin@mastodon.social Knowledge is power, France is bacon

Open ##4300954
@JSAMcFarlane@mastodon.ie 2026-07-15 08:09

@kevlin@mastodon.social Electronic Compute Unit

Open ##4300955
@JSAMcFarlane@mastodon.ie 2026-07-15 08:10

@kevlin@mastodon.social probably something else but Jira Isn't Really Agile always amuses

Open ##4300957