Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Chris -- 2025-05-10
In raw G hits there are 50k for the illusion phrase, 500k for the correct version.
I think the semantic link of “disillusion” is pretty plain here. When one gets divorced (Dissolution of marriage) it seems given that what you once thought of the other is over, you have become disenchanted, disappointed or dissatisfied. (the various meanings ive found in online dictionaries.
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The Database contains the obverse, disillusioned-to-dissolutioned switch (link). Marriage disillusion was proposed summarily back in 2006 (link) with, strangely enough, no commentary. If its use is innocent, and the users have the meaning of disillusion in their heads, it makes a wonderful eggcorn. Some credible examples from the web would make it more believable.
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If you ask me “the disillusion of Parliament” is even better. Amonst many, here’s one from an Australian MP:
“But once parliament ceases or is dissolved, the Sec 82 (5) kicks in and I continue in office until the next Prime Minister is appointed.
The President did not rescind my appointment prior to the disillusion of parliament in December 2006”
and another:
“What we’ve avoided is a political donnybrook that would have made things a lot worse had it gone to a disillusion of parliament and then elections at the same time that the Duma was trying to block them with impeachment.” from backin 1998. Some of the “disillusions” are between inverted commas/speech marks, which suggests awareness of the pun but plenty are apparently well-formed eggcorns.On the plain in Spain where it mainly rains.
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