Eggcorn Forum

The adjective “slipshod” developed from “slipshoes,” an old name for loose slippers. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, “slipshod” was used as a literal adjective denoting the wearing of such shoes. In the nineteenth century, a figurative meaning (“sloppy/careless”) took hold that eventually replaced the older literal sense.

“Slipshod” in its figurative role serves as an acorn for at least two eggcorns:

(1) A common replacement for “slipshod” is “slapshod,” as in these examples:

Testimony of an Ahmahdiyya Muslim: “For the mosque they had a very slapshod arrangemen”

Comment on an article about a TV program: “So they tap-danced on the line and delicately tried to balance these two concepts which resulted in what seemed like a slapshod entry to the series.”

Prolific American novelist’s work published by Penguin in 1997: “This community of white settlers with its five slapshod buildings raised on one side of the road only”

“Slapshod” is, one presumes, the offspring of an illicit union between “slipshod” and “slapdash.”

(2) A more sporty substitute for “slipshod” is “slapshot:”

Entertainment ezine: “One of the most glaring pieces of evidence for the slapshot manner Hollywood movies are put together is the deleted scene.”

Sofware forum: “The alternative is to add features in a slapshot manner without doing adequate testing”

Forum-based review of a Star Trek movie: “With any ‘prequel’ movie, you’re going to get the mandatory coming together of the crew, which was done in a somewhat slapshot manner.”

“Slapshot” for “slipshod” no doubt takes its cue from hockey. A hockey slapshot is a difficult manoever that transfers energy to the puck via a bendable hockey stick slapped on the ice. Well-executed, it is thing of beauty. In the hands of a novice player (or a Montreal Canadiens player after after several shooters of le caribou), a slapshot can indeed look sloppy and careless.