I admit to being a little bit of a language snob. Of course I recognize that language evolves and a misspoken word today may be perfectly acceptable tomorrow, at least for some, but know that if you use a malapropism, I’ll probably judge you.
In case you are unfamiliar with the word malapropism, in lame man’s terms, it’s the mistaken replacement of a word with another that sounds similar. The term, derived from the French mal à propos, meaning inappropriate, got picked up in the English language because of playwright Richard Brinsely Sheridan. In his 1775 play The Rivals, a character named Mrs. Malaprop is notorious for muddling up her words.
That’s not to say that Sheridan was the only, or even the first, writer to make use of such a character trait, but I suppose that’s a moo point. For all intensive purposes, that’s when the concept entered the English language where it’s been driving language snobs like me bonkers ever since.
I’ve been thinking about malapropisms a lot lately because the publication date of Paradise on the Pike, my new historical novel set in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, is drawing near and I have discovered that not everyone is familiar with the word “pike.”
If you happen to live in one of the handful of US states that contain a turnpike, you might be able to puzzle out that “turnpike” is another word for toll road and that “pike” is another word for a road. You might even be familiar with the phrase “coming down the pike,” meaning something is going to happen in the future. For example, I have a new novel coming down the pike.
If you don’t happen to live near a turnpike, then you might mistakenly believe the phrase is “coming down the pipe,” in which case, I’m probably judging you.
But this particular malapropism does make some logical sense because there is another phrase “in the pipeline” that also refers to something that is going to happen soon. I could, for example, tell you that I have a new novel in the pipeline. Conflating the two seems like a fairly innocuous mistake.
And of course you can go ahead and say whatever you like. It’s a doggy dog world and I don’t always get my way even if I do think malapropisms ought to be nipped in the butt whenever possible. Really, I could care less. Except that the expression, “coming down the pike,” may actually have its roots in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis in which a mile long stretch of road along the north side of the fairgrounds that formed the main entertainment section of the fair was referred to as “the Pike.”
The Pike contained all manner of concessions including battle reenactments, rides, a wax museum, fashion demonstrations, mock-ups of exotic locales, dancers, musicians, and animal shows. It was also the site of daily parades, leading to much excitement as people crowded around to catch a glimpse of what wondrous things might be coming down the Pike.
And so, the cover of my newest novel in the pipeline that will be coming down the pike on the 18th of April, just in time to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the 1904 World’s Fair, features a picture looking down the historical Pike. I hope you’ll forgive me for stringing out the cover reveal and keeping you on tender hooks for a few weeks. I also hope you’ll really enjoy the book when it’s finally here. And in the meantime, language snobbery aside, I hope you’ll love the book by its cover.
Great post. I love finding malapropisms when I edit for others. As for myself, I am aware of one or two that I got wrong–most likely due to where I grew up–until they were pointed out once I moved away from my childhood city. I can’t recall what they were, but I do recall that they were funny.
We’re probably all guilty of a few.
Supposably malaprops make life interesting. But I don’t know, I’m auspicious of it all.
Cool book cover, I sincerely hope it does well.
Thank you for your kind wishes, Herb. I don’t take them for granite.
You’re rolling down a pike today! Enjoyed your malaprops post and the gentle reminder to watch my choice of words. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of an offensive malaprop or two.
Paradise on the Pike is definitely a fascinating read and contains no malaprops.
I sure hope it doesn’t. I had some eagle-eyed beta readers and an editor who is second to none. Thanks for helping me get it there!
I am typing this just a couple of miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Great to hear another book is coming down the pike. That fact reminded me I had not mentioned I really enjoyed “Launching Sheep.” I am quite sure this new project will be a fun read as well, and that 4/18 date has been noted for purchase. I love malapropisms as long as someone else makes them…not me.🙂
Well, knock me over with a fender. That’s a very nice thing to say. Thank you!
Well, it’s a great cover and an interesting write up that gave me a smile. Congratulations. Happy to host you for a promotional post on my blog when you are ready and I will add your book to my towering TBT but you’ll have to be a bit patient for a review as I always overcommit myself 😊
Oh, that is so lovely! Thank you!
My pleasure. You can email me at sirchoc@outlook.com 🦋🩵
You really had me laughing at this post!! But being the pineapple of politeness, for all intensive purposes, irregardless of whom was nearby, I snorted!
The epiphany of high praise!
I pike the cover of your novel very much. I shall certainly be weeding it.
I am very graceful for your comment.