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"mondegreen"

From Richard Nordquist,
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Definition:

Words that result from the mishearing or misinterpretation of a statement or song lyric.

Etymology:

After "(Lady) Mondegreen," a misinterpretation of the line "(hae laid) him on the green," from the song "The Bonny Earl of Murray." Coined by the writer Sylvia Wright and popularized by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll.

Examples:

  • "I led the pigeons to the flag" (for "I pledge allegiance to the flag")

  • "There's a bathroom on the right," for "There's a bad moon on the rise," in "Bad Moon Rising," by Creedence Clearwater Revival)

  • "Excuse me while I kiss this guy" (for the Jimmy Hendrix lyric, "Excuse me while I kiss the sky")

  • "the girl with colitis goes by" (for "the girl with kaleidoscope eyes," in "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," by the Beatles)

  • "Dr. Laura, you pickled man-thief" (for the Tom Waits lyric, "doctor, lawyer, beggar-man, thief")

  • "Take your pants down, and make it happen" (for "Take your passion and make it happen," in Irene Cara's "Flashdance")

  • "Every time you go away/you take a piece of meat with you" (for " . . . take a piece of me with you," from the Paul Young song "Every Time You Go Away")

  • "bow and arrow transplant" for "bone marrow transplant"

  • "Lucky Jesus" (a child's mondegreen for the chain restaurant Chuck E. Cheese)

  • "America! America! God is Chef Boyardee" (for "God shed His grace on thee," in "America, the Beautiful")

  • "You’re the cheese to my pizza mine" (for “You’re the key to my peace of mind," from Carol King's "Natural Woman")
Audio LinkPronunciation: MON-de-green
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