word
spoonerism
SPOO-ner-iz-um
ˈspuːnərɪzəmListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
spoonerism
Sounds like
Say 'SPOO-ner-iz-um'.
Dictionary meaning
A verbal error in which initial sounds are swapped between words, e.g. 'blushing crow' for 'crushing blow'.
History and origin
Named after the Reverend W. A. Spooner (1844–1930) of Oxford, famous for such slips.
Examples
- Spooner reportedly told a student: 'You have hissed all my mystery lectures.'
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