spoonerism

📖 Definitions

noun

The transposition of (usually) the initial sounds of words, typically producing a humorous result.

Examples

“It is now kisstomary to cuss the bride.” (Spooner while officiating at a wedding)

“Is the bean dizzy?” (Spooner questioning the secretary of his dean)

💬 Usage Examples

“Charles enjoyed spoonerisms: He would often order ‘chish and fips’ in a restaurant to see if the waitress was listening, and when his oldest son, Ralph, had a daughter, Charles started referring to his other children (Mark and Jean) as Uncle Jark and Aunt Mean.” Jean L. Manore; Husband. Father. Veteran. Hiker; The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada); Jan 15, 2019. “As for her own red-faced moment on air, Hudson recalled how she coined a somewhat racy spoonerism in a reference to Killorglin’s Puck Fair.” SecCaigh; AA Roadwatch Broadcasters Celebrate 21 Years; Irish Examiner (Cork, Ireland); Aug 31, 2010.
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