Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Thanks for your understanding.
Chris -- 2018-04-11
Exposure to an allergen, such as peanuts or a bee sting, can lead to a deadly over-reaction of the immune system in susceptible people, who form about 1-2% of the population. The EpiPen is a lifesaving way to inject yourself with epinephrine when you are going into anaphylactic shock. Epinephrine, the Gk. equivalent (epi- + nephros) to L. adrenaline (ad- + renes), is secreted by glands perched atop the kidneys. This hormone will quickly repress an overactive immune system, in the way that stress does.
An épée, or epee, is a duelling sword. An epee pen, then, is there to stab yourself, on a small scale, to inject lifesaving hormone. More than 200 leghits.
School policy:
If the student has sever allergies and is required to carry an Epee Pen on their person, he/she may do so
(http://www.toddacademyjuniorhigh.com/Me … rgies.html)
“Embrace your neurocies” blog:
A single bee crawling, cold from the shade, into the light. A fragile yet fierce little creature. I sat next to it and watched it’s journey; mindful that with no epee pen on me, this tiny yellow and black being had the ability to hospitalize me.
(http://neurotic0nymph.livejournal.com/)
Admittedly, I didn’t find any evidence that indisputably indicates that “epee” is being connected to the sword/needle. Perhaps epee-pin makes that connection.
Campus Residence safety:
There is a first aid kit with Band-Aids, an Epee-pin kit, and instructions, located above the garbage can in the kitchen.
(http://campcoop.com/gallery2/d/334-1/CRCA_Handbook.pdf)
In keeping with the potentially grave circumstances surrounding its us, some people call it the epic-pen.
Surviving elementary school:
Don’t just assume the staff has knowledge of your child’s allergies. Be sure that you give them information and resources. Help them understand how to administer medications and if you have one, how to use an epic-pen.
(http://survivingelementaryschool.com/fo … -get-sick/)
Group fiction writing:
Allison says they had just gave her the epic pen and her tongue was still huge.
(http://www.hamstertime.net/ht/index.php … entry69455)
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Sounds like it could be an eggcorn.
Thanks to your post, I now know what an epipen is. Last month, just as a group of us were headed into the woods to look for certain rare plants, a woman in our group said “Wait a minute,” and ran back to her car. Returning, she said “I forgot my epipen.” “Epipen?” I said. “Epinephrine. I’m allergic to stings.” I wondered how she got from “epinephrine” to “epipen.” She was using a brand name of an injection device as a generic name.
Hatching new language, one eggcorn at a time.
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