Malatrope

/maləˌtrōp/
noun
noun: Malatropeism

the mistaken use of a meme or trope in place of a similar one, often with an intended amusing effect. As an example, someone posts a picture of Gandalf, quoting Game of Thrones, "Brace yourself. Winter is coming!", and attributes it to: "-Dumbledor".

It is not required to be intentional. In March of 2013, U.S. President Barack Obama erroneously referred to a "Jedi Mind Meld" at a press conference on sequester deliberations. Jedi, of course, being an integral group in the Star Wars lexicon and the Mind Meld, a communications tactic of the Vulcan race in the Star Trek universe.

It should be noted, the above example, while humorous to most, angered many avid fans of the respective franchises.

His frequent use of malatropes brought a lot of hits to his profile.

That T-shirt of the Enterprise with the phrase "#1Star Wars Fan" is an excellent Malatropeism!

by DikShuttle September 4, 2014

malapropism

This is when someone abuses the wrong worm so you can't understudy what they're crying to play.

Named after someone called Mrs Malaprop in some classical something or other.

by Andy May 7, 2004

malapropism

a word mistakenly used in place of a similar sounding word, usually by the President of the United States

An example of a malapropism 'we should demand slavery respirations'

by Dingermcduff September 11, 2003

malapropism

1. When something is inappropriately named
2. When someone uses a name/word in an improper context

George W. used a malapropism when he said "They misunderestimated me."

by Anonymous September 14, 2003

malapropism

Comes from Mrs. Malaprop, a character in 'The Rivals' - a 1775 play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. She imagines herself to be learned but betrays her ignorance by using words that sound similar to those she intends to use.

Mrs. Malaprop refers to a "nice derangement of epitaphs" in the play.

by Derek Scott September 9, 2003

malapropism

A word which purposely replaces another word within a common phrase or addage, with humorous, or ironic intention.

"Curteousy killed the cat" as opposed to "Curiosity killed the cat"

by Bat September 12, 2003

malapropism

Diction humor. Choosing the wrong word, resulting in a comic effect. The character Mrs. Malaprop was an Elizabethan Rosanne Rozanna-danna.

"Why are people always talkin' about the how much violins there is in the middle east?"

by smakerooni September 18, 2003