Welcome to a fun and engaging lesson on malapropism! This figurative language lesson will introduce students to malapropism, where people mistakenly use similar-sounding words, often with a humorous effect. Through examples and activities, students will explore the amusing world of malapropisms and learn to appreciate the nuances of language.
Definition
A malaprop is a mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an amusing effect.
The term originated from the eighteenth-century play The Rivals by Richard Sheridan, where a character named Mrs. Malaprop humorously mixed up words.
A malaprop must contain three features:
- The new word that replaces the original must have a different meaning.
- The substituted word must have a similar sound to the original word.
- The word used must be a recognized in the speaker’s native tongue.
Malaprop Example
In 1874, Knowles Shaw wrote the famous hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves.” It was inspired by a verse in Psalm 126. “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Most adults know that sheaves are bundles of cereal plants such as wheat or rye. A youngster, however, has never heard the word sheaves. SO, just imagine the youngster singing this hymn in church bellowing out “Bringing in the sheets.” Smiles, chuckles, and out and out laughs can be heard in the church. This is an example of a malapropism.
Free Malaprop Activities
Free Mini Lesson on Malaprop: Includes a Video, Slides, and Printables
Introduction to Malapropism:
This lesson introduces students to malaprops, serving as a fun vocabulary-building exercise for upper elementary and middle school students.
Interactive Learning:
Students begin by watching a video explaining the definition and providing malaprop examples. They then pause the video to complete a digital or printable organizer. Afterward, they resume the video to check their responses, reinforcing their understanding of malapropism.
Classroom-Friendly:
These activities are designed as individual lessons, making them perfect for assigning through Google Classroom. This setup ensures students can work independently and revisit the material as needed.
Check out the lesson video here. Be sure to get the handout first. It contains the organizer that goes with the video.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Activity #1: Watch a Video Explanation
Start the lesson with a short video explaining malapropism, such as the one by Merriam-Webster’s Ask the Editor series on YouTube. This activity can be a great hook to engage students and introduce them to the concept.
Activity #2: Famous People Blunders
This activity can be fun for students and show them how even well-known figures can make humorous language mistakes.
Americans enjoy a great joke. When famous people accidentally use incorrect words, the press loves to point them out. President George W. Bush was famous for his misuse of words. Because of this malaprops are often referred to as Bushisms. Here’s a selection of George W. Bushisms:
George W. Bush:
- “We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile.”
- Corrected: “We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostage.”
- “It will take time to restore chaos and order.”
- Corrected: “It will take time to restore order from chaos.”
- “The law I sign today directs new funds… to the task of collecting vital intelligence… on weapons of mass production.”
- Corrected: “The law I sign today directs new funds… to the task of collecting vital intelligence… on weapons of mass destruction.”
- “We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile.”
You will find a printable on famous people’s blunders in the handout.
Activity #3: Correct These Malaprops
This activity helps students practice identifying and correcting malapropisms. The handout includes a printable practice sheet where students are challenged to correct malapropisms in sentences. Before having students complete the practice sheet, use the sentences below for class discussion.
Examples
- She’s the pineapple of politeness. (She’s the pinnacle of politeness.)
- The flood damage was so bad they had to evaporate the city. (The flood damage was so bad they had to evacuate the city.)
- It’s beyond my apprehension. (It’s beyond my comprehension.)
- He’s a man of great statue. (He’s a man of great stature.)
- The doctor gave me a subscription for my cough. (The doctor gave me a prescription for my cough.)
- My sister has extra-century perception. (My sister has extrasensory perception.)
- The story had many illiterate details. (The story had many elaborate details.)
Activity #4: Write a Malaprop
Have students create malapropisms inspired by famous figures like Yogi Berra (a Yankees baseball legend known for humorous sayings). This activity encourages creativity and allows students to experiment with language playfully.
“He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.”
Corrected: “He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s ambidextrous.”
“It gets late early out here.”
Corrected: “It gets dark early out here.”
“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
Corrected: “It’s so popular that it’s always crowded.”
In conclusion, malapropisms are a delightful example of how language can be playful and surprising. By exploring examples and engaging in activities highlighting malapropisms, students can develop a deeper understanding of language and improve their creative writing skills. Please encourage your students to explore the world of malapropisms further and watch their language skills and appreciation for figurative language grow.
I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.
Check out the entire series on figurative language.
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The video lesson on malapropism is a sample from Figurative Language Digital + Printable Video Lessons & Organizers.
