folk etymology

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noun

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.

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

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Origin of folk etymology

First recorded in 1880–85

Words nearby folk etymology

folk, folk art, folk dance, Folkestone, Folketing, folk etymology, folkie, folkish, folklife, folk linguistics, folklore

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use folk etymology in a sentence

Some will be avoiding New Year festivities entirely—and very sensible folk they are too.
The Refuseniks Hiding From ‘Happy New Year’|Lizzie Crocker|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The twang we hear as emblematic of white country music is actually the direct descendant of black folk music banjo.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Phonetic, made-up lyrics are another venerable tradition of folk music, and “pa-rum-pa-pa-pum” is iconic of the genre.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The folk memory of medieval community life had been wiped out by the industrial revolution.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Weeks went by where all they recorded were cover versions of old folk songs and country hits.
Elvis Costello, Marcus Mumford, and Others Crowdsource A Dylan Album|Malcolm Jones|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are some folk in this country, you know, who manifest a very retiring disposition at times.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
It was no wonder that he felt quite at home in the duck-pond, which was made for web-footed folk.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Most of the feathered folk agreed that Mr. Blackbird ought not to have spokenp.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Mademoiselle snatched it from the hand, which was very tiny, and pink, with dimples where grown up folk have knuckles.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
Mr. Meadow Mouse did not hesitate to use it, being one of those fortunate folk that are quite at home anywhere.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for folk etymology

folk etymology

noun

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

a popular but erroneous conception of the origin of a word

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012