Is there a word for a word that doesn’t fit its own definition? For example, verb is a noun, and monosyllabic is polysyllabic. Come to think of it, why is it so hard to remember how to spell mnemonic? This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Words that Don’t Fit their Definitions”
I read an email from Karen Walters who asks,
Is there a term for a word that does not fit its own definition?
For example, phonetically is not spelled phonetically.
And the word verb is a noun.
And monosyllabic is polysyllabic.
Is there a word for that?
I don’t know that there’s a word for it.
I don’t know either.
The quiz guys would know just their bailiwick.
Yeah, I’m thinking of words that do fit their definition, like sesquipedalian.
Yes, great example.
It’s a really long word.
Sure, yeah.
And while we’re thinking about it, why is it that the word mnemonic is so hard to remember how to spell?
I don’t know.
I don’t know.
Deep thoughts here on Public Radio.
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