Eggcorn Forum

Chock up another eggcorn for my grandson. While showing me how to play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, he twice pronounced the word “apparel” as though it were “appearel.”

Switching “Appearal” for “apparel” is an obvious move. Your apparel determines your appearance. The slip is as common as fleas on a mutt. See the Google hits for appearal.

“Appear” and “apparel” do not share an etymology, by the way. “Apparel” harks back to the Latin word for equal that gave us “par.” “Appear” owes its existence to the Latin term for bringing forth, begetting that gave us “viviparous” and “parent.”

On a few web pages, the “appearal” substitution is taken to the next level:

Fan fiction: “ that served no more use to him due to the small sizes of the appearall.”

Post on footwear on Facebook: “We have pics posted of our latest appearall options for both male and for the ladies”

Personals page: “bald 6 feet 2 inches tall somewhat fashionable appearall ”