mismatched » mixmatch

Classification: English

Spotted in the wild:

  • Diana was best known for her very funny laughter and her cute witty bandanas and not to mention her sometimes mixmatch clothing. (link)
  • HE BRINGS THE WEIRDNESS TO THE GROUP WITH HIS STYLE OF VOICE AND HIS LOUD COLORS AND MIXMATCH SHOES LOL! (link)

Analyzed or reported by:

  • Margaret Lee (ADS-L, 10 March 2009)

A cousin to the mixmash eggcorn. Mix ‘n match no doubt contributes to the mix.

Margaret Lee’s original report:

At a recent Phish concert here in Hampton, a Phish fan “Phish head”) (female) was quoted in the local newspaper as saying, “It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one that wears mixmatch clothing and is into other things besides cell phones and bling-bling.” Is this use of “mixmatch” for “mismatch” an eggcorn? I don’t know if this was her pronunciation or the reporter’s spelling of the word.

[Addendum: Ben Zimmer reports a discussion by Nancy Friedman of mixedmaxed as a possible eggcorn for mismatched.]

| Comments Off link | entered by Arnold Zwicky, 2009/03/10 |