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Word of the Day for Monday, March 23, 2009spoonerism \SPOO-nuh-riz-uhm\, noun: The transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words. Some examples: We all know what it is to have a half-warmed fish ["half-formed wish"] inside us. A well-boiled icicle ["well-oiled bicycle"]. It is kisstomary to cuss ["customary to kiss"] the bride. Is the bean dizzy ["dean busy"]? When the boys come back from France, we'll have the hags flung out ["flags hung out"]! Let me sew you to your sheet ["show you to your seat"]. Spoonerism comes from the name of the Rev. William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930), a kindly but nervous Anglican clergyman and educationalist. All the above examples were committed by (or attributed to) him. | |||||||||
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