misnomer

American  

[mis-noh-mer] / mɪsˈnoʊ mər /

noun

1. a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.

2. an error in naming a person or thing.

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misnomer British  

/ ˌmɪsˈnəʊmə /

noun

1. an incorrect or unsuitable name or term for a person or thing

2. the act of referring to a person by the wrong name

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Commonly Confused

Misnomer is not a fancy, more elevated word for mistake. Nor is it a synonym for misstatement, misconception, or misunderstanding. As the word's Latin etymon nōmināre (“to name”) tells us, a misnomer is a special kind of mistake: a wrong name. The consequences of a mistake can range from trivial to catastrophic—from typos to train wrecks. But a misnomer is often just embarrassing, like trying to impress a friend by referring to a Burgundy wine as a “Bordeaux.” Sometimes, however, what began as a misnomer has become a standard term: the game of Chinese checkers does not come from China; the funny bone is a nerve, not a bone; hay fever is not caused by hay and is not a fever; and a pregnant woman's morning sickness can occur at any time of day. Other kinds of mistakes or misunderstandings—giving a driver wrong directions, thinking that the earth is flat, drawing an erroneous conclusion—are not misnomers. In fact, the word misnomer when used to describe a behavioral mistake or a misperception of reality is itself a misnomer!

Etymology

Origin of misnomer

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French mesnomer “to misname,” equivalent to mes- negating prefix + nomer “to name, call by name,” from Latin nōmināre; mis- ¹, nominate

Example Sentences

But English language professor Jung Chae-kwan says it is a misnomer to call the English test tough.

From BBC

Freeze-dried candy is a misnomer, as manufacturers aren't exactly freezing the candy.

From BBC

“I would say there’s a misnomer that AI is a shortcut,” Saunders said.

From The Wall Street Journal

That proved to be a misnomer when their popularity surged on the coasts.

From The Wall Street Journal

The phrase "rare earths" - referring to 17 elements on the periodic table which are lightweight, super strong and resistant to heat, making them useful in small electric motors - is something of a misnomer.

From BBC