I had never heard of an eggcorn until I saw this video, but I found the topic fascinating.
I think you will, too.
An eggcorn is a word or phrase resulting from a mishearing or misinterpretation of another word or phrase wherein the substitution sounds similar or identical to the original meaning.
“Free rein” and “free reign” is a good example.
The actual, or original, phrase is “free rein,” meaning to give a horse a loose rein, but the often misused “free reign,” meaning a monarch who rules unfettered, has a similar meaning.
Turns out I’ve been misusing “just desserts” and “just deserts.”
Which one is correct?
Watch the video. You’ll enjoy.
