There's a delightful thread about misunderstood words over at the Volokh's. Eugene asked for examples of people misinterpreting an unfamiliar word based on its context — a bit like the mondegreen — and his commenters have had a ball on that and related subjects. One of my favorites is the observation by one JBurgess that An error of applying the wrong language's rules of pronunciation leads to the annoying mispronunciation of "coup de grāce". ... Rather than a blow of mercy or the putting another out of his/her misery (Ku de gras), it is frequently offered up as, being hit by fat (Ku de Graa).
I have a friend who is not a native English speaker. When we talk about childrearing, she often uses the phrase "when she's a little more independable." I've never corrected her on it — partly because I'm never sure which word she means, and partly because "independable" really does seem perfect.
Posted by Ben Brumfield at November 19, 2005 09:07 AM