Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Word muddling is no rare thing

Last week’s piece about misstatements on the radio – as well as other communication boondoggles – resulted in readers’ contributions of foulups they’ve either heard of or experienced.Revisiting the topic allows me to give due credit to one Rev. William Archibald Spooner, a 19th century English preacher.He often found himself in “verbal muddles,” typically transposing words, letters and ideas. That’s where the term “spoonerisms” originated. (We could give chase to the origins of malaprops, I suppose, but I’ll place it in the “maybe later” file.) Can it be? After writing my 976th column next week, I’ll start my 20th year ...

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Lamesa Press-Reporter

P.O. Box 710
Lamesa, TX 79331
806-872-2177