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Misnomers in American English
A misnomer is a word or term that suggests a meaning that is known to be wrong.
Misnomers often arise because the thing named received its name long before its
true nature was known. A misnomer may also be simply a word that is used
incorrectly or misleadingly. "Misnomer" does not mean "misunderstanding" or
"popular misconception."
Some of the sources of misnomers are:
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1.
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An older name retained as a thing evolves.
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Examples
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2.
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Transference of a product name to a word.
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Examples
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3.
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An older name kept in the face of new information.
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Examples
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4.
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A part used for the whole thing.
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Examples
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5.
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A name retained based on a similarity.
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Examples
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6.
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Difference between popular and technical meaning.
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Examples
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7.
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Ambiguity - a term to confuse the hearer.
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Examples
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8.
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An incorrect association of an item's origin.
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Examples
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9.
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An attempt to mislead people.
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Examples
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10.
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Reanalysis
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Examples
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11.
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Others.
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Examples
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