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One thing that almost always gets a laugh out of us is when somebody uses incorrect but similar sounding words to express themselves. Electrical instead of electoral, bone jaw instead of bonjour, suppository instead of repository — the comedic potential is nearly limitless because we all have blind spots where we mix up two similarly sounding words that are, in reality, anything but similar in meaning.

The subreddit ‘Bone Apple Tea’ (which sounds almost like bon appétit in French) collects all forms of malapropisms which are when people use an incorrect word that sounds similar to the appropriate word, often with hilarious results. We’ve collected the best such examples, so get your scrolling fingers ready, upvotes your faves and share with your friends. Let us know what the best malapropisms you’ve ever heard are and share with us if you’ve ever committed any embarrassing linguistic accidents yourself.

Be sure to scroll down for Bored Panda's interview with 'Bone Apple Tea's' founder and moderators!

More info: Reddit

#1

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Kwj
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last response with the entire pig, is the best thing ever! :D

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Bored Panda got in touch with the ‘Bone Apple Tea’ subreddit and talked to its moderators about the community, its history and what it stands for.

The subreddit’s creator TheNekkedNinja had this to say: “I started the sub around 3-ish years ago. I was bored at work and I was curious about how moderating worked. The rest is history!”

“As far as the name goes, I always liked the original bone apple tea meme so when I saw that the name was free, ‘Bone Apple Tea’ was born,” TheNekkedNinja explained. “I never thought I would do anything with it and I definitely never thought it would ever become this big. I have no modding experience so I'm incredibly thankful for the mods that came on board and turned it into what it has become today. We currently have 15 mods who sift through hundreds of submissions a day from over 700K subscribers.”

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#5

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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One of the moderators, Altrissa, told Bored Panda that the community’s mission statement is to “highlight the amount of malapropisms that exist in the world.”

“English is one of the weirdest languages in human history and our sub more than proves it!” the mod said. “If native English speakers can have so many problems finding the correct word, imagine how hard it is for everyone else! It's also quite hilarious to see all of the inventive ways people use phonics to spell words they aren't familiar with.”

“Some of the funniest malapropisms we've heard are usually the more immature ones,” Altrissa revealed. “Tonight tits" for tinnitus, "orgasmic blueberries" for organic blueberries, and "crushed Asians" for crustaceans.”

#7

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Incorrect words get used all the time by people from all backgrounds: whether they’re politicians or private citizens, everyone has at some point embarrassed themselves, perhaps unknowingly, by mixing up words that at first glance can look almost identical. Malapropisms tend to have a very powerful effect on people, making us giggle as though we’re schoolchildren.

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The very term ‘malapropism’ came into being after Richard Brinsley Sheridan created the stage comedy called The Rivals in 1775. In the popular play, the humorous aunt character Mrs. Malaprop often mixed up words and caused the audience to chuckle with laughter.

For example, Mrs. Malaprop (whose name is a version of the French word malapropos which means ‘inappropriate’) has been known to call the ‘pinnacle of politeness’ the ‘pineapple of politeness.’ She also mixes up ‘allegory’ with ‘alligator.’

The character Archie Bunker from the TV situational comedy All in the Family also constantly used malapropisms. Such as mixing up ‘ill refute’ with ‘ill repute,’ ‘ivory shower’ with ‘ivory tower,’ and ‘pig’s eye’ with ‘pigsty.’ We laugh at times like these because the jokes are instinctively funny to us; but we also laugh because we know we’ve made similar mistakes, and they’re a part of being human.

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#15

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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CiscoZulfikar
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically it's true, the source of sweet and sour for your food

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#18

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Shawn
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a hell of a hug! He probably needs to wipe better as well. Lol

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#22

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think this is a bad mistake, since euthanasia and youth in Asia are both likely presentation topics! Besides, who knows how the teacher pronounced euthanasia

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#26

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ADHORTATOR
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got Type 2 Diabetes, from now on I will call it "Tattoo Diabetes", it sounds much better :-)

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#27

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Demonic Darkness
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't even get a discount with 2 for 5. Why not just say 2.50

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Redfox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope,they must be married in church like all good vaggies do.

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Ivana
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grocery stores are harsh man, forced prostitution and now you can't elope with the rich millionaire who hired you for the week to go with him to the opera. Damn. At least we still have fresh vaggies.

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SF Angel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course they can't elope. They're barely 8 months old. Ridiculous

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Marlene Ricker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cant Elope. That is totally hilarious!!III I will never see a cantaloupe the same way!

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R.s. Potter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if you can't elope, have a wedding. With melon instead of a cake.

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Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That has to be deliberate. Someone was bored and screwing around.

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if you buy two, they DID elope. I'm sure the others don't approve of those two leaving together!

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Vic
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't Elope? So they expect a big ceremony and everything?

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Ava Bowie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not even a discount if they are 2.50 each and 5.00 for two!! Omg they cant even spell cantaloupe 🍈

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Donald Holder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor attempt at marketing. No discount when 2.50 each or two for 5.

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Bonny Saxon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can indeed elope - it just will cost you W-A-Y more than $2.50.

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Andrew Reyes
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can wait on that deal, I know they'll definitely be there tomorrow

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Beh Pnkt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you can't elope, you can't elope. Well...I don't even and I'm not even mad about it.

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Amy Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The price is down to their annoyance at not being able to elope

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elfin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least their math is accurate. Meaningless, but accurate.

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KJena
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4 years ago

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They Can't Elope unless you set them free. Please, we need some for next year!!!

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Jon S.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its just an optical illusion, but those melons look tiny

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Mikyla McEwen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the f**k do you mess up in the spelling when it’s right on the box?!

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#30

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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#42

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Aaron W
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they hit your forehead when you run? That might be why your ears are ringing.

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#43

Funny-Mispronounce-Words-Malapropisms

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Calcium The Bully Terrier
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, that's the right word. You can't see it, because the image is cropped, but he has webbed feet

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#48

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Koalamonster
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do love the part of the movie where the beast freaks out when the Asian markets drop and he's terrified that he'll lose all his money. I mean, that is why he's mad most of the movie.

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#60

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He has a confederate flag, so I'm not surprised he's dumb af

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#61

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Family is such a basic word, so how can you not form familiar, how the hell do you get for meal your out of it

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#65

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Monday
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well Caucasians do have slightly higher autism rates than other groups....nothing to do with vaccines though.

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#66

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Koalamonster
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wtf. Anyone who ends a statement where they seem to be aroused with 'damn daddy quack quack'- I would just like you to imagine the next romantic encounter you have and as things are gettimg to the business one of you says that. I don't feel like it would necessarily go well.

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#78

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Daniela-Iulia Balaciu
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

- Raise your wheels, you are under arrest. - I can't, I can't, don't you see I'm a car? - O, sorry Sir. Jonny, go to the Porsche, arrest that Porsche, now!

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#83

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is because of a meme in the Les Miserables fandom and not because someone thinks that's how you actually write it

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#85

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Jon S.
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can forgive a kid's a spelling mistake. If we are including these then bored panda would be full of nothing but kids' exercise books.

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