Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun nonstandard malapropism of
damp squib
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Due to the homeophony of squib and squid
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Examples
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sionnach commented on the word damp squid
See, e.g., damp squid eggcorn
December 1, 2008
reesetee commented on the word damp squid
According to this, the top misquoted phrase in Britain.
March 2, 2009
bilby commented on the word damp squid
Nip it in the butt!
March 2, 2009
chained_bear commented on the word damp squid
#5 and #8 on that list (in reesetee's link) drive me batshit.
In case it's someday not available, here it is for Wordieposterity:
The top ten misquotes by British people are as follows:
1) A damp squid (a damp squib)
2) On tender hooks (on tenter hooks)
3) Nip it in the butt (nip it in the bud)
4) Champing at the bit (chomping at the bit)
5) A mute point (a moot point)
6) One foul swoop (one fell swoop)
7) All that glitters is not gold (all that glisters is not gold)
8) Adverse to (averse to)
9) Batting down the hatches (batten down the hatches)
10) Find a penny pick it up (find a pin and pick it up)
("Damp Squid: The top 10 misquoted phrases in Britain," Telegraph.co.uk, 24 Feb. 2009)
March 3, 2009
yarb commented on the word damp squid
#4 and #10 I didn't realise were corrupt, and still think the corruptions make more sense. #8 is the one that sends me into a frothing rage every time. Generally you hear it in the negative.
March 3, 2009
sionnach commented on the word damp squid
I'm not adverse to a bit of frothing rage every now and again. Though it might be a bit of a mute point.
March 3, 2009
chained_bear commented on the word damp squid
*froths*
March 3, 2009
bilby commented on the word damp squid
What's wrong with champ at the bit? Surely it has stronger claims that chomp at the bit to be the original and not the eggcorn. See qroqqa's comment on champ.
March 3, 2009
frogapplause commented on the word damp squid
The Damp Squid is my favorite restaurant.
March 3, 2009
reesetee commented on the word damp squid
Seafood?
March 4, 2009