15 Common English Eggcorn Examples List: Why Your Mistakes Make Sense

You think you're speaking perfect English, but you might be uttering 'eggcorns.' Linguist Geoff Pullum coined the term in 2003 to describe a peculiar linguistic phenomenon: a mistaken word or phrase that sounds almost exactly like the original and makes a surprising amount of logical sense. It's named after the tendency of some people to mistake the word acorn for 'eggcorn,' arguing that acorns do, in fact, look a bit like eggs or corn kernels.

The Definitive English Eggcorn Examples List

One of the most frequent offenders is the phrase For All Intents and Purposes. It's often mispronounced as 'For All Intensive Purposes.' While the original dates back to a 16th-century Act of Parliament, the mistake persists because one could argue that 'intensive' purposes are the most important ones. Another classic is Coleslaw, derived from the Dutch 'koolsla' (cabbage salad). Many call it 'Cold Slaw'—which isn't technically correct but makes perfect sense given the dish is served chilled.

Fossil Words and Phonetic Trapdoors

Eggcorns often thrive when the original word becomes a 'fossil'—something used only in specific idioms. Take On Tenterhooks. Since we no longer use wooden 'tenters' to dry cloth, people naturally swap it for 'tenderhooks,' imagining a sharp hook holding something delicate. Similarly, Death Knell (the sound of a funeral bell) is frequently replaced by 'Death Nail,' likely influenced by the expression 'the final nail in the coffin.'