Way back on March 14, 2021, and again on June 4, 2022, the “Horribly Wrong” team dealt with words that sound alike, but aren’t. Recently, Eliot’s older son submitted a homophone dilemma (see #1 below), and we realized we haven’t scratched the surface! Here are more examples. You might say, “No one actually would make these mistakes.” Sure. You keep on believing that.
Strait-laced, straitjacket.
Don’t say “straight.” Strait means "narrow, strict, or constricted." (Note: We’ve seen both spelled without hyphens.)I rode the fairy to the island.
Ferry.When the mom died at the end of the movie, I just starting balling!
Bawling.I can’t bare it.
Bear.Give me a brake!
Break.I had to leave do to the smell.
Due to the smell.I need to by some flower for my cake.
I need to buy some flour…
Unsplash.com
8. The Beach Boys did a segway into “California Girls.”
A segue is a transition. A Segway (trademark) is a two-wheeled motorized vehicle that was popular in the first two decades of this century.
9. The end is in site.
Sight.
10. For more years!
Four.
11. I can’t here you!
Hear.
12. Mary Christmas!
Merry.
13. Tow the line.
Toe.
14. Next store.
Next door.
The Exorcist/Warner Brothers
15. The priest gave last rights.
Last rites.
16. “Walk-in distance from restaurants.”
Walking distance. (Submitted by Dr. Baruch Kahana.)
The Accolade, by Edmund Blair Leighton
And a joke that involves homophones. If you’ve attended a Passover Seder, you’ll get it. Or you can look it up.
The Queen of England decides to knight a Jewish businessman. He’s given a phrase to memorize and say during the ceremony.
As Her Highness prepares to touch the man’s shoulder with the sword, his mind blanks. He blurts out, “Ma nishtanah.” The queen turns and says, “Why is this knight different from all other knights?”
Watch this on video: https://youtu.be/crvm8yAcIhQ
Next time: We reprehend usage of euphemisms.
Readers: "Something Went Horribly Wrong" features samples of bad writing we see nearly every day. You can participate! Be our duly deputized “grammar police.” Your motto: “To protect and correct.” Send in your photos of store signs, street signs, menus, TV news graphics, newspaper headlines, tweets, and so on. It doesn’t have to be a grammatical error. It can be just what we call “cowardly writing.” Include your name and home town so we properly can credit you. You're free to add a comment, although we reserve the right to edit or omit. Now get out there! Send to Eliot@eliotkleinberg.com
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NOTE: Eliot and Lou Ann are available for speaking engagements, and can travel. Reach us through the comments section. Just think of all of your employees getting back to work on a Monday, their heads filled with all the ways we’ve shown them to be better communicators!