English Dictionary

folk etymology

名詞

可算名詞 不可算名詞

A misunderstanding of the etymology of a word based on an inexpert analysis; an etymology that incorrectly explains the origin of a word based on the inadequate judgement of a common speaker of the language instead of etymological expertise.

日本語の意味

民間の常識や誤解に基づいて、単語の本来の語源を誤って解釈すること。 / 一般大衆の不十分な判断によって導かれた、誤った語源説。

The belief that 'butterfly' comes from butter because of its yellow color is a classic example of folk etymology.

「butterfly」が黄色いからバターに由来すると信じるのは、語源に関する俗説の典型的な例だ。

意味（1）

A misunderstanding of the etymology of a word based on an inexpert analysis; an etymology that incorrectly explains the origin of a word based on the inadequate judgement of a common speaker of the language instead of etymological expertise.

Many English folk etymologies involve backronyms.

意味（2）

A modification of a word or its spelling resulting from a misunderstanding of its etymology, as with island, belfry, and hangnail.

SURCEASE owes its form and meaning to a remarkable folk-etymology, as has been pointed out by Prof. Skeat:—It is obvious, from the usual spelling, that this word is popularly supposed to be allied with cease, with which it has no etymological connexion.

folk etymologies （ plural ）