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Chris -- 2018-04-11

#1 2007-06-04 07:15:33

MartyArtie
Member
From: Teddington, Middlesex
Registered: 2006-11-03
Posts: 23

Foil-proof for foolproof

Can’t find this one in the database, but amid the google hits referring to printing on foil there are quite a few examples of foolproof->foil proof in the wild, which would make sense as an eggcorn if people believe something “foil-proof” is incapable of being foiled …

Jim told him he was planning an elaborate, foil-proof, plan to fake his own demise
www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=149467

The system isn’t 100% foil proof but someone has to start somewhere.
http://www.rugerforum.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011162.html

No method of contraception is completely foil proof, therefore each party must assume some responsibility if a pregnancy occurs.
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/24 … st353.html

(why does this last one make me wince …)

Last edited by MartyArtie (2007-06-04 07:17:03)

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#2 2007-06-04 11:34:53

jorkel
Eggcornista
Registered: 2006-08-08
Posts: 1456

Re: Foil-proof for foolproof

That’s a really nice find. I’ve struggled with eggcorn-like terms akin to one you’re presenting. On the one hand, “foil-proof” is a completely legitimate word in it’s own right, but on the other hand it seems to be subliminally inspired by the word “foolproof.” I still haven’t decided whether we should call these borderline cases “eggcorns” or something else.

By the way, I talked about this topic a little bit in the following post…

Words with close sound and meaning. by jorkel Eggcornology 6 2007-04-13 06:20:22 by tannerpittman

Here are some of the other phrases of close sound and meaning that I struggled with…

An incisive remark
An insightful remark

Expound on a topic
Expand on a topic

Is weary of
Is wary of

Speak eloquently
Speak elegantly

Study intensely
Study intently

Under the pretense of
Under the pretext of

Last edited by jorkel (2007-06-04 11:40:37)

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