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| folk et·y·mol·o·gy (plural folk et·y·mol·o·gies) |
noun |
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1. replacement of unknown word: the replacement of an unfamiliar word or form by a more familiar one. An example is the replacement of girasole with Jerusalem in Jerusalem artichoke.
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2. incorrect origin for word: an idea about the origin of a word that is generally believed but is incorrect. The idea that the origin of the word "posh" is "port out, starboard home," referring to the more expensive side of ships traveling between the U.K. and India, is a folk etymology.
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