Dictionary

noun

Definitions

1. A misunderstanding of the etymology of a word appealing to the unlearned mind; an etymology that incorrectly explains the origin of a word based on a judgement out of knowledge or passions of a common speaker of the language instead of expertise in its past.

   Example: Many folk etymologies involve backronyms.

   Synonyms:fake etymologyfalse etymologyparaetymologyparetymologypseudo-etymology

2. A modification of a word or its spelling resulting from a misunderstanding of its etymology, as with island, belfry, and hangnail.