folk etymology

American  

noun

1. a modification of a linguistic form according either to a falsely assumed etymology, as Welsh rarebit from Welsh rabbit, or to a historically irrelevant analogy, as bridegroom from bridegome.

2. a popular but false notion of the origin of a word.

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folk etymology British  

noun

1. the gradual change in the form of a word through the influence of a more familiar word or phrase with which it becomes associated, as for example sparrow-grass for asparagus

2. a popular but erroneous conception of the origin of a word

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Etymology

Origin of folk etymology

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

It was only a matter of time before this pseudo-etymology, or folk etymology, became the main usage.

From New York Times • May 23, 2018

This common meaning for outrage actually grows out of a vagary of folk etymology.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2014

It is, in effect, a folk etymology of the name of the great capital of the Eastern Empire. 

From Old French Romances by Morris, William

At Queensferry, by a folk etymology, one of the lads wears a coat stuck over with burrs. 

From Modern Mythology by Lang, Andrew

Historical note: Some have said this term came from telephone company usage, in which "bugs in a telephone cable" were blamed for noisy lines, but this appears to be an incorrect folk etymology.

From The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 by Raymond, Eric S.