Grammar girl here, oh English, there are so many different kinds of errors that sometimes

it seems overwhelming.

But today we're going to talk about errors you can laugh at.

Errors like thinking credence, clear water, revival, saying there's a bathroom on the

right instead of there's a bad moon on the rise.

And saying something is a little fit bunny instead of a little bit funny.

Or little fit bunny type of error is called a spoonerism in honor of Reverend William

Archibald Spooner who taught at New College in Oxford in the 1800s and early 1900s and

had a reputation for mixing up words.

Reports say that he was less than thrilled to be honored by having the error named after

him.

A spoonerism is a particular kind of mix up.

It happens when you swap sounds between two words in a phrase.

There are unintentional spoonerisms that don't make sense, such as gois and burls for

boys and girls.

And then there are spoonerisms that create new amusing meanings, such as keys and parrots

for peas and carrots.

And better Nate than lever for better late than never.

I confess that on more than one occasion I have called my relatives named Gail and

Dave, Dail and Gave.

Sorry.

There are also intentional spoonerisms.

...