eavesdrop » ease drop
Spotted in the wild:
- Not too long ago, however, I ease dropped on a conversation at a local restaurant, that although was probably not the right thing to do, as far as good manners are concerned, proved to be quite entertaining. (The Caledonia Argus, Oct 23, 2007)
- I just lovelovelove all that kitschy stuff that you find in touristy places, and you can get some fabulous easedropping done, too. (Salon.com comment, Jul 23, 1997)
- I have a problem. I like to ease drop. I am horrible at doing this. I ease drop and love to people watch. (blog post, July 12, 2006)
- But how do you prove someone is ease dropping? (mailing list post, Sep 28, 1996)
Analyzed or reported by:
- Chris Russell (in the Eggcorn Forums)
Eavesdrop is a denominal verb formed from the same pattern as for example shop or lobby. The underlying noun eavesdrop, expanded in the OED as “the space of ground which is liable to receive the rain-water thrown off by the eaves of a building”, has fallen out of general use, and with it the image behind the verb, of standing close to the outside wall of a house, under the overhanging roof, and listening in to what is spoken inside.
The eggcorn easedrop or ease drop might be stressing the aspect of casualness when overhearing other people’s conversations.
The reshaping eavesdrop » ease drop has been suggested multiple times on this site and in other venues, first by Chris Russell (investigated by Pat Schwieterman).
See also eavesdrop » eardrop.
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