Date: Fri, 6 Oct 1995 20:47:28 -0400

From: Seth Sklarey crissiet[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]IPOF.FLA.NET

Subject: Re: Mondegreens,Malaprops,Sam Goldwyn, Casey Stengel & Yogi Berra



This is more of a tangent. Most of these things turn a name or

unusual word (like "Pulitzer," "Alzheimer's," "varicose," or

"cirrhosis" into a more familiar word), but the canonical example

takes ordinary English--laid him on the green--and invents a

name--Lady Mondegreen.



How do we differentiate or define among the following:



Mondegreens



Pullet Surprise



Malaprops or Malapropisms (based on Mrs. Malaprop) in a play I

believe by Sheridan, but correct me if wrong.



Goldwynisms based on quotes from movie producer Sam Goldwyn, the grand

master of the Malaprop without even trying:

e.g. "An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's printed on."



Casey Stengelisms (I wish I could think of some, they were great.)



Yogi Berra (protege of Casey Stengel): "The future ain't what it used to be."



Norman Crosbyisms (based on mis-hearings).



Seth Sklarey

Wittgenstein School of the Unwritten Word

Coconut Grove, FL



P.S. Don't forget the Stars Bangled Banner: "Jose can you see?"



P.P.S. Politically incorrect joke circulated here about 2 years ago:

Heard about the hispanic fireman whose wife had twins boys? He named

them Jose and Hose B.