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Chris -- 2018-04-11

#1 2011-06-28 22:17:33

Dixon Wragg
Eggcornista
From: Cotati, California
Registered: 2008-07-04
Posts: 1375

"instance" for "incident"

This confusion was mentioned in passing by DavidTuggy on a thread about co-instance/coincidence. You can see it here:

http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/forum/view … hp?id=3505

Here’s the instance I encountered: “I never really thought about this instance until much later…” (from Beefheart: Through the Eyes of Magic by John “Drumbo” French) It seemed pretty clear from the context that “incident” was what was really meant.

If it’s an eggcorn, I’m afraid it’s not a very exciting one, due to the abstractness of both words’ meanings not creating any interesting images or jokes, and to the very similar definitions of the two words. But I thought I’d share it just for the record, so to speak.

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#2 2011-06-29 05:31:06

burred
Eggcornista
From: Montreal
Registered: 2008-03-17
Posts: 1112

Re: "instance" for "incident"

It strikes me as a potential blend with elements of ‘instant’ and ‘incident’ and ‘incidence’.

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#3 2011-07-07 17:37:02

yanogator
Eggcornista
From: Ohio
Registered: 2007-06-07
Posts: 237

Re: "instance" for "incident"

I see it as just a mistake. Over the past 5 to 10 years, I have often heard “instance”, “incidents” and “incedence” used interchangeably. Becuase of this common confusion, I have heard “incidences” for “incidents” a number of times. The meanings of “instance” and “incident” can be pretty close, so it’s not surprising that people get them confused.

Bruce

Last edited by yanogator (2011-07-07 17:38:17)


“I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin

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