Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Thanks for your understanding.
Chris -- 2018-04-11
Yes, this may very well be an idiom blend, but it seems that the motivations of the speakers are so similar to that of the eggcorn utterer. I just couldn’t resist putting it up for consideration because “seamy underbelly” evokes such a hilarious image. It has 25,300 hits. Exactly what kind of belly would that be?
Seamy means “morally degraded” and comes from “less pleasant”. UNDERSIDE, as in the unnoticed aspects of a society, is the proper word to which “seamy” is to be associated (17,500 hits for “seamy underside”).
“Soft underbelly” is a term to connote the most vulnerable part of prey. It enjoys 121,000 hits, as it should.
Of course, there’s also the permutation “soft underside”, which competes quite well with 9,510 hits. I won’t even bother to explain.
Maybe the eggcornish aspect has more to do with “underside” vs “underbelly”. But the point is I just wanted to put this out here for your enjoyment…I’ve been chuckling about this for over a week. I have a portly mutt and can’t help but laugh thinking about what she would look like…or smell like(phew!)...if she had a seamy underbelly.
Well, no worries, do with it what you will and have a happy New Year! It’s been a pleasure to post and learn from this wonderful site!
Cheers!
Matt
Last edited by booboo (2007-12-30 22:20:53)
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Thanks, Matt. A great idiom blend. I’m sure I’ve heard it spoken and failed to note the confabulation of images. Quite funny when you think about it.
I suppose a stuffed toy could have a seam-y underbelly…
Hatching new language, one eggcorn at a time.
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