Eggcorn Forum

Google counts on Feb, 19, 2007:
19,800 “compromising position”
42,700 “uncompromising position”
Analysis by Joe Krozel

A “compromising position” is a position where one is vulnerable to danger especially of discredit or suspicion (per Wikipedia and other sources). This invokes the less common definition of “compromising.”

Interestingly, the other definition of “compromising” is: “willling to make concessions.” So, one might assume that a “compromising position” is simply a position which forces one into compromise (or the making of concessions). And indeed, one may intend this meaning by the juxtaposition of those two words.

This train of thought may progress readily to the construction “uncompromising position” which could be interpreted as a position (situation) which leaves one with no ability to compromise. This is probably a legitimate usage (if one bases the decision on the Google counts above), but it certainly must have come into existence as an offshoot of the usage I discussed first.

So, is this an eggcorn or a legitimate usage born of the subliminal suggestion of another language construct?

Examples involving “compromising” or “uncompromising”:

DOODLES OF THE DAY[image]. I’m curious where that sketch on the right might pop up in the future. Is Terri Todd going to be caught in an uncompromising position? ...
www.comicscommunity.com/boards/insight/ … 4&expand=1 – 34k – Cached – Similar pages

Grandparents Found in Compromising Position at BeachGrandparents Found in Compromising Position at Beach. Dec. 10, 2004 – Two Malaysian grandparents, who happen to be in-laws, have been detained by religious …
www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Sex/4-12-10SexOnBeach.htm – 43k – Cached – Similar pages

Episodes for “Paradise Falls” (2001)Roxy catches boyfriend Michael in an uncompromising position. Francis has an eerie vision. ... Michael catches Pete in a very uncompromising position. ...
www.imdb.com/title/tt0181248/episodes – 55k – Cached – Similar pages

The Fire Chief And The Sheep – January 4, 2007… on stories we’ve covered, here’s one on the Arizona fire chief who was arrested after being found in a compromising position with a neighbor’s lamb. ...
www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/200 … heep1.html – 15k – Cached – Similar pages