Skip to main content
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

malapopism 

A misplaced pop culture reference, usually caused by confusing similar names or words, and referring to someone/something irrelevant or ridiculous in context.

As with a malapropism, the confusion and result are similar; however, rather than confusing the meaning of standard English words, one is confusing similar-sounding names & pop culture references.

A malapopism can also occur when someone is unaware of the fact that the same name refers to a different person/thing/event, and makes an inappropriate reference based on that mistaken assumption.
Both kinds of malapopisms (similar names; same name but different people) in conversation:

Jen: The Cottingley fairies were a hoax, and Arthur Conan Doyle was fooled. James Randi's book tells all about it.
Arshad: Damn fairies, always wanting to restrict the free market! :)
Everyone: *stares blankly*
Arshad: You know... all that Libertarian stuff Randi wrote?
Everyone: Oh, you mean Ayn Rand!
Arshad: ohhh.

Who were the Senators from Illinois before Obama and Durbin?
Well, before Durbin was Paul Simon...
Hah, did he sing "Sound of Silence" to the Senate?
Dude, that's not the same Paul Simon!
malapopism by my name is Cos March 4, 2009

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'
malapropism 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."
malapropism 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.
malapropism 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"
malapropism 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?"
malapropism by smakerooni September 18, 2003
More from Urban Dictionary

Respectfully 

Precedes or follows either a gratuitously disrespectful or honest remark, originated in New York City. Used in similar fashion to "no offense" or "to be honest," interchangeably.
Ya mans is wild buns, respectfully. Respectfully he's washed.

After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.
Respectfully by john quan the first December 20, 2020
Word of the Day on September 26, 2026

You met me at a very Chinese time in my life

A moment in time where you feel distinctly Chinese over all other things.
Dante: "I wish I could be Nigerian, but I can't because I'm Chinese. You met me at a very Chinese time in my life."
Word of the Day on September 25, 2026
Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.

Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores.

Modified derivative of granola.
"I need more crunchy guys in my life. I'm so tired of dating preppy metrosexual assholes."

"I'm heading out to the crunchy store to pick up some fair trade chocolate and tea tree oil, do you need anything?"
crunchy by EBC July 11, 2007
Word of the Day on September 24, 2026
A group of people, typically women, searching through someone’s digital footprint in order to find more information about that person.
Susie wasn’t sure if her new Hinge match was a creep, so she assembled Galantir and they found out he used to post slurs on gaming forums.
Galantir by Ge-sus September 22, 2026
Word of the Day on September 23, 2026

murderhobo 

In a tabletop game, a murderhobo is a player who murders NPCs indiscriminately. This is normally derogatory, referring to a player who totally ignores quests, dialog, backstory, trade, world building etc.

The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.
DM: The sad little orphan girl tugs at Steve's trenchcoat to get his attention, and ask for help saving her pet dog from...
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.
murderhobo by Loup&S September 9, 2021
Word of the Day on September 22, 2026
In sales terms, a whale is a prospect that is significantly larger than an organization’s average customer.

Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.

A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.
"Shit...the sales director chewed me out on the sales call this morning. He's totally pissed that I have nothing in my pipeline. I've been focused on this one whale for so long that I haven't had time to prospect for normal-sized deals."
Whale by FQ_GFY February 3, 2020
Word of the Day on September 21, 2026

Concrete cowboy 

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.
Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.
Word of the Day on September 20, 2026
Next