In this summer edition of Editor’s Note, let’s dig into a fun language topic: eggcorns.
Eggcorn is an actual linguistic term for a word or phrase that is often misinterpreted in a way that still kind of makes sense. Eggcorn is itself an example of one: Some people mishear “acorn” as “eggcorn” and don’t give it a second thought, because, well, an acorn is kind of shaped like an egg and they both are the start of life for something, right?
Here is an entertaining list of well-known eggcorns, with the correct phrase for each one. Can you see how the eggcorn version of each one sort of makes sense?
- all intensive purposes → all intents and purposes
- daring-do → derring-do
- mist of things → midst of things
- chomping at the bit → champing at the bit
- mute point (or moo point!) → moot point
- nip it in the butt → nip it in the bud
- pre-Madonna → prima donna
- wet your appetite → whet your appetite
- deep-seeded → deep-seated
- tow the line → toe the line
- coldslaw → coleslaw
- a new leash on life → a new lease on life
Why does this actually matter?
As silly as these are, being aware of these as a writer or editor will help you avoid publishing something awkward, confusing, or embarrassing. Many of your readers will know the correct phrase and know that you got it wrong. Even little things like this can hurt credibility and trust.
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to flag something as an eggcorn—some of the ones that get popular even make it into the dictionary (see: hone in on). This, of course, makes them even harder to spot. Tools such as Grammarly and Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar checker will catch many of them. Being generally aware that these misunderstandings exist is also helpful; if you write a phrase that maybe just feels off or is one that you know has variants, it’s always helpful to look it up! Run the phrase through a style guide, m-w.com, or a search engine.
Presidential Inauguration style sheet
Are you writing content that involves the upcoming Presidential Inauguration in September?
With the assistance of the Office of the President, I’ve compiled a style sheet for campus communicators to use as a one-stop resource for specific names and styles related to the Inauguration. Please bookmark the guide and refer to it for your writing so that all campus communications can have a clear, cohesive voice for this historic event.
Pop quiz
Following University style, which of these statements is true for endowed titles?
Click on your answer to submit your response. If you have the correct response, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a prize!
A note about the pop quiz
Please think of these monthly quizzes as open-book! I don’t expect you to know the answer off the top of your head. I designed these quizzes, in fact, to get readers more comfortable using the University Style Guide to find the answer. You are encouraged to consult that before submitting your answer.
May pop quiz winner
Congrats to Katherine Alan, administrative assistant for alumni and advancement in the Mendoza College of Business, the winner of the May pop quiz!
Following University style, can titled and entitled be used as synonyms?
No.
Following University style, titled is the word that should be used when giving the title of a book, lecture, paper, etc. Entitled is best used to mean to give a right to.
- Because he wrote the book, he is entitled to 50 free copies.
- The article is titled “101 Ways to Study for Finals.”
What we’re reading
These are stories that we found to be interesting, fun, or thought-provoking. The views are not necessarily endorsed. Want to share a story you found? Feel free to send it to me.
How well can you spell?
The Washington Post (gift article)
The Washington Post (gift article)
Latest style guide updates
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Fellow
Fellow is always capitalized when used in reference to Notre Dame’s Fellows of the University. It is lowercase in all other instances, unless it is part of a proper name.
• Stephanie Gallo, a Notre Dame Trustee since 2002, became a Fellow in 2024.
• Lin applied for a Kroc Institute Visiting Fellowship. He was awarded a fellowship and became a Kroc Institute fellow the next year.
• Four first-year law students were named Murphy Fellows. They are fellows in the Law School. -
percent, %
Spell out percent except in headlines, tables, or other special material, including financial reports in which the term is frequently used. -
strategic framework
The University’s strategic framework, released in August 2023, is formally titled Notre Dame 2033: A Strategic Framework. Unless you are using the full formal title, the term strategic framework stays lowercase as a descriptor instead of a proper name. The formal title should be styled in all capital letters and in italics.
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