mondegreen
[ mon-di-green ]
/ ˈmɒn dɪˌgrin /
noun
a word or phrase resulting from a mishearing of another word or phrase, especially in a song or poem.
Nearby words
Compare eggcorn. See also malapropism.
Origin of mondegreen
1954; coined by Sylvia Wright, U.S. writer, from the line laid him on the green, interpreted as Lady Mondegreen, in a Scottish ballad
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for mondegreen
mondegreen
/ (ˈmɒndɪˌɡriːn) /
noun
a word or phrase that is misinterpreted as another word or phrase, usually with an amusing result
Word Origin for mondegreen
C20: from the Scottish ballad `The Bonny Earl of Murray', in which the line laid him on the green can be misheard as Lady Mondegreen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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