Catachresis is defined as: “the misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.” Or as: “The use of a word in a way that is not correct, for example, the use of mitigate for militate. It has the adjective form of catachrestic.
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What type of error is using the wrong word?
Spellling. If you’re dealing with writing, it’s a spelling problem. Or error. Most people don’t care how they’re spelled; since it doesn’t make any difference in speech, it must not be anything important, or we wouldn’t understand speech.
What is it called when someone makes up a word?
A neologism (/niːˈɒlədʒɪzəm/; from Greek νέο- néo-, “new” and λόγος lógos, “speech, utterance”) is a relatively recent or isolated term, word, or phrase that may be in the process of entering common use, but that has not been fully accepted into mainstream language.
What’s the word for using big words unnecessarily?
Definition of sesquipedalian
1 : having many syllables : long sesquipedalian terms. 2 : given to or characterized by the use of long words a sesquipedalian television commentator.
Can there be wrong uses of words?
Yes… but it does happen. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, I’ve collected some of the most common incorrectly used words from other posts into one epic post. (Thanks to all the readers along the way who offered their own examples, many of which are included here.)
Why do I use the wrong words when talking?
Speaking problems are perhaps the most obvious, and people with aphasia may make mistakes with the words they use. This could be sometimes using the wrong sounds in a word, choosing the wrong word, or putting words together incorrectly.
What is it called when you mix up words when speaking?
What is aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder due to brain damage in one or more areas of the brain that control language. It can interfere with your verbal communication (getting words mixed up when speaking), written communication, or both. Aphasia can cause problems with your ability to: read.
What is it called when someone doesn’t tell the whole truth?
In formal contexts, disingenuous can be used when someone doesn’t tell the whole truth about something. Disingenuous is often modified by phrases like a little or a tad to show the speaker is being sarcastic.
What is a professional liar called?
People sometimes call someone who lies a lot a “pathological liar.” Frequent dishonesty isn’t a good habit, but it doesn’t fit the official definition of pathological lying. To be labeled as a pathological liar, a person must lie frequently and for no good reason.
What does it mean when a person is pedantic?
Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.
What is a sesquipedalian person?
sesquipedalian (plural sesquipedalians) A long word. quotations ▼ A person who uses long words.
What is the meaning of the term pretentious?
: trying to appear better or more important than is really the case a pretentious snob. Other Words from pretentious. pretentiously adverb. pretentiousness noun.
What does Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness mean?
Advertisement: Sesquipedalian: A long word, or characterized by the use of long words. From the Latin roots meaning “a foot-and-a-half long.” Loquaciousness: That would be garrulousness, verboseness, effusiveness.
What do you call a person who can never be wrong?
The definition of infallible is someone or something that is always perfect and right, without any errors or mistakes. An example of infallible are the decisions of God.
What is it called when you say something but mean the opposite?
Antiphrasis
Antiphrasis is the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that it is obvious what the true intention is. Some authors treat and use antiphrasis just as irony, euphemism or litotes.
What is it called when you say something but mean something else?
Irony is “the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning.” Inside jokes told subtly, so that outsiders don’t even know they are told, creates irony. Likewise, if I say something to you intending you to understand it one way, even though I mean it another way, I am speaking ironically.
Can anxiety cause you to say the wrong word?
Anxiety disorders often cause a wide variety of chronic symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and more. For some people, anxiety can even affect the way they speak, leading to speech that is faster, slower, or possibly even slurred.
Is aphasia a mental disorder?
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension. Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others. Many people have aphasia as a result of stroke.
Why am I always mixing up my words?
When you have a fluency disorder it means that you have trouble speaking in a fluid, or flowing, way. You may say the whole word or parts of the word more than once, or pause awkwardly between words. This is known as stuttering. You may speak fast and jam words together, or say “uh” often.
What is speech dyslexia?
Overview. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called a reading disability, dyslexia is a result of individual differences in areas of the brain that process language.
What is apraxia of speech?
Apraxia of speech (AOS)—also known as acquired apraxia of speech, verbal apraxia, or childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) when diagnosed in children—is a speech sound disorder. Someone with AOS has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently.