Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Chris -- 2025-05-10
This was not collected in the wild: It’s an invention (so far as I know) of the script writers for the ABC TV show, “Boston Legal”. Does that count? Probably not, but I offer it up, anyway. If nothing else, it evidences popular recognition of the existence of this linguistic quirk.
On tonight’s episode (Oct. 30) of “Boston Legal”, the eccentric character Denny Crane makes the comment “Hope springs a kernel.” Questioned on that by his friend (and straight man) Alan Shore, Denny passes it off as an old farmer’s proverb. Denny and Alan exchange a few words on the question of whether it’s “springs eternal” or “springs a kernel”, without resolving the issue. It’s plainly done for comedic effect.
(Is this more in the way of a mondegreen – misheard song lyric – than an eggcorn proper?)
Steve Harris
Last edited by harrissg (2007-10-30 22:47:09)
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