Spoonerisms: Twisted Tongues and Mangled Words
77
What is a Spoonerism?
A spoonerism is “the accidental transposition of initial sounds or syllables of two words, usually with humorous results, as roaring pain for pouring rain.” The word is derived from Dr. William Archebald Spooner (1844-1930), an apparently nervous reverend/teacher. While spoonerisms are commonly slips of a tangled tongue, they can be employed intentionally as a humorous play on words.
His most renowned spoonerism was supposedly at a church service, when the congregation overheard him say to a parishioner, “Mardon me, Padam, but this pie is occupewed—may I sew you to another sheet?” It is very doubtful that Dr. Spooner said this, as many such spoonerisms were attributed to him which he insisted he did not say.
A spoonerism is a transposition and a form of malapropism, which is defined as an absurd or humorous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound ("A witness shall not bear falsies against thy neighbor." - Archie Bunker in All in the Family.) Indeed, a malapropism does not have to be amusing or surprising, nor be based on a cliché, nor does it have to be intentional. There need be no play on words nor hint of deliberate pun. In a Time magazine essay on slips of the tongue, Roger Rosenblatt says many malapropisms are "uninteresting," but that "spoonerisms are a different fettle of kitsch."
Who is Spocter Dooner? (Who is Doctor Spooner)
Spocter Dooner...er...Doctor Spooner was a warden – comparable to a university or college president – of New College at Oxford University, who is credited with having made many such transpositions. He first arrived at New College as an undergraduate and remained for more than sixty years, serving as Fellow, Lecturer, Tutor, Dean, and finally Warden. His lecture topics included ancient history, divinity, and philosophy.
Spooner was an odd looking man, but was extremely well liked and respected. He was described as an albino, small, with a pink face, poor eyesight and a head too large for his body. His well-earned reputation was that of a genial, kindly, hospitable man.
The Spistery of Hoonerisms (History of Spoonerisms)
Did the first English spoonerism date back to the days of King Arthur? Many people believe so, beginning when young Lancelot couldn't afford a horse and rode a St. Bernard instead. He supposedly was told, “I wouldn't send a knight out on a dog like this.”
In truth, Henry Peacham (the younger) is credited with documenting
the first spoonerism in print in his 1622 manners book, The
Complete Gentleman, when he recounted: “A melancholy
gentleman, sitting one day at a table where I was, started up upon
the sudden, and, meaning to say 'I must go buy a dagger,' by
transposition of the letters, said: 'Sir, I must go dye a beggar.'"
Throughout 19th-Century England, creating puns and word transpositions was enjoyed as a lively game. Some humor historians propose that the fad began around 1854 following the publication of a series of novels by Cuthburt Bede (a pseudonym for Edward Bradley) about a student at Oxford who often spoke with accidental reversals, such as “poke a smipe” for “smoke a pipe.” Medical students in London particularly enjoyed the game, and the transpositions were known as “Medical Greek” or “Hospital Greek.”
Transpositional humor was also popular in the U.S., particularly in the West, and even Abraham Lincoln was reportedly fond of them. In one Lincoln manuscript, he begins, “He said he was riding bass-ackwards on a jass-ack through a patton-crotch.” What is not clear is whether Lincoln authored the piece or simply copied it.
Today, however, we call these transpositions “spoonerisms.” Dr. Spooner loathed his reputation as the premier utterer of the transpositions that bore his name, and continually denied having said them. Once when a group of students had gathered before his window to hear him speak, he refused, saying, "I know what you're here for. You want to hear one of those...things." In his later years, however, he softened to his reputation, even granting permission to publish some of them as attributable to him.
To that, we may all say, "Yank thou, Spoctor Dooner."
Archie Campbell & Betty Boop in Rindercella
Poonerisms for your Sperusal (Spoonerisms for your Perusal.)
Most of the spoonerisms attributed to the good doctor are apocryphal. The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (3rd edition, 1979) lists only one substantiated spoonerism': “The weight of rages (rate of wages) will press hard upon the employer.” Interestingly, Spooner himself claims only having uttered one, and it is different than the Oxford quotation: In reference to the hymn The Conquering Kings, Spooner said “The Kinquering Congs.”
Most spoonerisms were probably never uttered by William Spooner himself, but rather made up by colleagues and students as a pastime. Whether he uttered them or not, they are fun to read. Below is a list of some spoonerisms attributed to Doctor Spooner.
"Three cheers for our queer old dean!" (dear old queen, referring to Queen Victoria)
"Is it kisstomary to cuss the bride?" (customary to kiss)
"The Lord is a shoving leopard." (a loving shepherd)
"A blushing crow." (crushing blow)
"A well-boiled icicle" (well-oiled bicycle)
"You were fighting a liar in the quadrangle." (lighting a fire)
"Is the bean dizzy?" (dean busy)
"Someone is occupewing my pie. Please sew me to another sheet." (occupying my pew...show me to another seat)
"You have hissed all my mystery lectures. You have tasted a whole worm. Please leave Oxford on the next town drain." (missed...history, wasted...term, down train)
“We all know what it is to have a half-warmed fish inside us.” (half-formed wish)
“When the boys come back from France, we'll have the hags flung out. (flags hung out)
Colonel Stoopnagle
In the 1930s and 1940s, F. Chase Taylor – under his pseudonym of Colonel Stoopnagle – wrote many spoonerism fairy tales which appeared both in print and on his radio show. The original ones were printed in the Saturday Evening Post and he eventually published a collection of the stories in 1946 – a book which is now sadly out of print and much sought after. However, we are pleased to bring you a number of these stories on Fun-with-words.com, by Colonel Stoopnagle and other authors: Titles you can read here include:
Prinderella and the Since by Colonel Stoopnagle
Beeping Sleauty by Colonel Stoopnagle
Ali Theeva and the Forty Babs by Colonel Stoopnagle
The Pea Little Thrigs by Mark Fitzsimmons
Goldybear and the Three Locks
Sources
Donald Davidson, "A Nice Derangement of Epitaphs," in Philosophical Grounds of Rationality, ed. R. Grandy and R. Warner, 1986; The straightdope.com; grammar.about.com; and those as mentioned in the text.
Spoonerism Generator
You can generate your own spoonerisms with the help of this free spoonerism generator. The name itself is a spoonerism: Fablebish.
Amazon Spoonerisms
|
Stoopnagle's Tale Is Twisted: Spoonerisms Run Amok
Price: $13.04
List Price: $16.95 |
|
Smart Feller Fart Smeller: And Other Spoonerisms
Price: $1.93
List Price: $14.95 |
|
Introducing Spoonerisms
Price: $0.99
|
|
Introducing Spoonerisms
Price: $0.99
|
Ebay Spoonerisms
| No Photo |
Smart Feller Fart Smeller: And Other Spoonerisms: Smart
Current Bid: $5.79
|
| No Photo |
Spoonerisms, Sycophants, and Sops by Donald C. Black..
Current Bid: $1.99
|
| No Photo |
Spoonerisms, Sycophants and Sops by Donald Black
Current Bid: $3.50
|
| No Photo |
The Rails I Tote: Forty-Five Illustrated Spoonerisms to
Current Bid: $3.50
|
|
Smart Feller Fart Smeller: And Other Spoonerisms: Smart
Current Bid: $5.50
|
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
I agree, Cris. And you have to know the rules of language before you can break them. Thanks for the comment and the visit!
LOL yeah i noticed! you must be tired or on overdrive! :D
I also forget that I can just delete the thing, which I have now done. ha!.
So it's decided then! You're definitely tired! :D
It's off to bed for me. Thanks.
Interesting hub Christoph - laced through with your inimitable style! And thanks for the link at the end - Fablebish sounds fun!
LOL! I love this! Every so often Bill generates one of these unintentionally. It just happened recently but I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet so I can't remember it--if I think of it, I'll come back and post it. Wice Nork!
This isn't technically a spoonerism, but I once taught a class about the Flannery O'connor story, "A Hard Man is Good to Find" (oops -- it's a "Good man is hard to find"). I wondered why everyone was snickering. . .
I love it. This is interesting, enlightening, and the spoonerisms are hysterical. I honestly didn't know what a spoonerism was until CC Riter did some hubs in this style. So this history was particularly interesting to me. Why didn't they teach me this in school? I feel so cheated!
I must admit that my brain is a spoonerism. It runs in my family, and we are all constantly getting our words turned around or just using the WRONG danged words. I thought it was a curse, but maybe I should work it!
Great pub!
Shaline: Thanks so much for popping in and saying hello. Good to see you.
Pgrundy: It's fun when they happen by accident and they are perfect - better than anyone could have contrived. Thanks for the comment!
Teresa: I'm sure that must have a name but I'm darned if I know what it is. Thanks Teresa!
Pam R: Howdy! I didn't know what they were until it came in one of my "Word of the Day" things that I get in my email. Yes, just act like your Spoonerisms are intentional and you'll look like a genius! Of course, to me you look like a genius anyway. I look at your avatar and say, "Look, that lady is obviously a genius."
Thanks for reading and your comment! Actually, you reminded me of something that I left out, which I am now going to put in. So thanks...see? You are a genius!
fantastic hub! Malapropism, or Freudian slip, for Teresa's line, perhaps?
Teresa, that is hysterical.
Chris, Cris A is right, you do flave a hair and your pieces are alway a beasure to plead. I loved the video. And thanks for the links. I'm going to share this with my kids in our writers club this summer and see what sool coonerisms we can come up with. Then we'll have to go over to C.C.'s stories for a good tale or two.
Heat grub!
Delightful! You made my morning.
A few days ago annemaeve and I were having a conversation about something, and out of my mouth popped "sisty uglers, beaping sleauty, and chince parming". Not only had I not thought about these spoonerisms in years, Anne had never heard them. It was reading your awesome Hub and checking out the fun-with-words site that jogged my memory.
Unlike Pam Roberson, I learned about spoonerisms in school, although not officially (why weren't spoonerisms part of the curriculum, they are so much fun...oh, maybe that's why). Instead, like the 19th century English medical students you mentioned, we high school kids loved spooonering; it was a game, a fad. And that's where I first heard "sisty uglers" and the others.
Thanks for the great read and bringing back the fond memories.
I can relate to Doctor Spooner. I am always tripping over my words like Carpoo the shampets. Now everyone knows I said that. It's embarassing really.
Great hub CR, you come up with the most interesting topics to write about.
London Girl. Thanks. I don't think either of those fit. A malaprop being one word substituted for another (as in the Archie Bunker example given in the article, or see Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals) and a Freudian slip would be just that - a slip that supposedly reveals the speakers hidden thoughts, and that by Teresa is too structured. I've heard it before, and others like it, but can't think of what they're called. That one is attributed to Mae West (according to The Oxford dictionary of humorous quotes.) Thanks for the comment.
SoulaBee: thanks for the visit. I'm sure the kids will enjoy it. Your kind words are most welcome. Thanks!
Sally: Glad you liked it, and those spoonerisms are great! They are fun to play with. I don't recall being taught them either, and the term was a mystery to me when I got the email definition. I had fun writing it and learning about Spooner. He seems like an interesting character.
Gwendymom: Thank you for your kind comment. Now really, Carpoo the shampets is adorable, just like you. No need to be embarrassed. Thank you!
This is weird. Last night I was just about to go to bed but decided to do a search on different types of grammar and linguistics -- gotta keep on my writing toes!
I came across Spoonerism and clicked on the site. I've heard of it but never really knew what it meant.
I wake up and like a dedicated hubber I go right to the computer and then to Hubpages. Lo and behold, I see this hub!
I think we may be connected psychically CR!
Great hub!
I'madork: OOOoooOOOooo! Maybe we are! Thanks for coming by and taking the time to comment!
"The Pea Little Thrigs" has always been one of my favorite stories. I knew someone who could recite it perfectly.
Rev. Spooner also spoke to a group of church-ladies in an ancient church with well worn pews. He supposedly said," As I gaze out upon these beery wenches...."
My brother-in-law, performing his first wedding ceremony as a new pastor said, "Please place this on her fing ringer."
I remember it well, because I'm still wearing that same fing. Of course the story is repeated often. Do you think we would let him forget? Funny thing is, he never knew he said it. Everyone else did.
Rochelle: That is a hoot! "Fing Ringer" must have had everyone choking back laughter. Thanks you for reading, the comment, and adding a couple classic spoonerisms to the collection!
I love spooner.Thanks for the refresh and thanks to all who came up with their own.
Bags of fun
earnestshub: Thanks for making a comment and taking the time to visit! Glad you liked it.
ups... I came in thinking that spoonerism was slepping in "little spoons" position @_@ I guess I just learnt a new word for something I do rather too often!
Princessa: Thats funny! When I first thought about this hub, I thought I should have written the hub, "Spooning With Princess and 100 Other Dreams." We must be thinking alike!
Spoonerisms ? Really ? This whole time i thought i was retarded for doing this. So did all my friends who have heard me mumble out this nonsense. Thanks.
daemon B: Yes, it's true. See? As it turns out...you are a genius. Refer your friends here and to me and I'll straighten this misconception out. Thanks for the comment!
CR, thanks for calling me adorable. We need to have some fun tonight. I miss hubjacking.
Gwendymom-- You could be Mendygwom. all the hubbers should spooner their names for a day in honor of Christoph... I mean... Ristoph Greilly.
Gwendy; I should be around. I have a little work to do but I'm kind of in a stupor at the moment.
Frochelle Rank: That's Ristoph Creilly to you. I think it's a charming idea to spooner everyone's names.
Frochelle Rank that's a great idea! Ristoph, are you ok?
jood gob. I think I type and talk in spoonerisms when I've had a few too many. Since I am currently sober, its a difficult twist of the tongue and mind.
McResa Tegurk? Oh dear. . .
LOL Teresa, I mean McResa Tegurk.
Mindygwom: I'm fine. Yow are who?
Goldentoad: You are probably already the most spoonered person on hubpages.
McRisa: Works for me!
I knew it as soon as I saw the title in the Hubtivity! It just had to be Christoph's. That's a Christoph title if ever I saw one, I said to myself.
Okay, now I'm going to read it and come back down here to comment on the actual hub since I'm done fawning over my own brilliance.
Just said you were in a stupor. Just checking to make sure you are ok.
Airley Shanderson: You ARE brilliant! And so is everyone commenting on this hub right now.
Wendy: I'm laking up a wittle.
Oh ,"Guy mod!"-- Ristoph, I have "me-ated a chonster" for "triving draffic" to your hub. Like you "neely read" it.
Now we exepct you to write a whole hub in spoonerific style. (It may be tagged as NIE)
Next step... Pig Latin? anyone remember that?
Hoonerisms can be spilarious! By the way, did I tell you that I am fluent in pig Latin? Oh, yes it's true. I can take that spoonerism and drop it another notch from recognizeable English - Oonerism-hay an-ca e-bay pilarious-say. What fun!
Lordy, I think I'm tired.
Christoph, I have to agree with Cris in that this is a great hub, thorough, well researched and very well written. Your natural talent always shines through regardless of the topic.
Thanks for the education. I really did learn some new facts from this hub.
LOL, I don't think I can possibly do that. I am easliy confused, I mean ceasily eonfused, Maybe.
Frochele: I think if I wrote a hub in the stooner spyle, W.W. Criter might be angry. As for traffic, I do neely read it!
Shirley: OMG! You're multi-lingual! That is way beyond my ability. Glad you hiked the lub! Very thoughtful to throw in the wind kurds for mittle ole we. Really, thanks! I stant wop!
MendyGwom: No argument on who won wis thub! I can't compete With Shirley and her lig patin/spoonerism.
Yup. Can't speak French or Spanish, but I've got lig patin down. Oh yeah, I've got full command of that language. It's really useful, too! Some day, I'm bound to run into somebody who can ONLY speak pig Latin and then I'll be able to translate. The U.N. should probably be made aware of my linguistic talent for use in important international negotations. I could really be a big help.
Don't you worry, Christoph. I can teach you. You speak spoonerism, so you already exhibit the kind of talent necessary to learn the ancient language of lig patin.
Gee, if enough people are interested, maybe I could write a series of language books and make my fortune.
Don't feel bad, Gwendy, my best friend can't speak pig Latin, either. It's really easy, but apparently challenging for some.
The way I learned is a simplified form, I think, which was simply taking the first letter of a word and putting it at the end, followed by "ay" In other words...In-ay other-ay ords-way. But it's more complicated, isnt it.
(Oh yeah, I'll contact the United Nations immediately. They just admitted the Island nation of Pig! Apparently, they learned Latin form Catholic missionaries in the 1700's.)
I had the same idea as CR, I used to be able to do it as a child but my mind has gone all mushy nowadays. Looks like I wasn't doing it right anyway.
Until Shirley comes back and tells us....I don't know.
No, it's not more complicated. That's what I did, except I spoonerized it first. Hey, maybe that would make a good method of creating secret code for use in military operations, James Bond movies, national security communiques....
Shirley. I think you should publish a book or work for the CIA or something.
CR, why so late getting on here tonight?
Ahh. Yes. It would take them forever to crack the code! There must be some money for you in there somewhere!
Ohhh, GM, I hear the CIA is a fun employer. Wonder if I get a shoe phone. Then, when I'm done there, I can write a book about it in spoonerized pig latin. :)
Can i get a shoe phone too? Nah I change my mind. I would just be trying to walk down the street and hang up on myself all the time.
Gwendy: I came on early. We eat at 6:00, and I come on after that, sometimes. It's not different...Unless you're referring to six weeks or so ago, then I didn't eat until very late. I don't know.
Our timing seems to be so off. Pretty soon I have to go shower and get to bed. I guess we need to make a date of hubjacking or something.
LOL, yes I suppose that would be a hazzard. Kind of inconvenient and uncomfortable if you're wearing high heels, too. Maybe a Dick Tracey watch is a better idea.
Think I'll take this tired brain to bed and dream of secret agents and exciting adventure. Hope at least one of them is hawt.
Nighty-night!
Hey Shirley, hook me up with one of those watch thingamajigs too PLEASE!
Sweet dreams Shirley!
Do things I would do and it will be a good night, you won't get rested but it will still be good.
OOO. I want a Dick Tracy watch too! Please, please, please!
So glad I am on he west coast. I can catch up on the latenight chat and still turn in at 9 pm.
Fun Hub, Christoph.
Thanks Rochelle. I appreciate you breathing some life into this thing. Thanks!
LOL, LOL, LOL, loved this hub Christoph, never knew about Spoonerisms until I read this. Keep up the good work.
Histy Morizon :)
CR really you shouldn't worry about traffic. You have lots of fans who love to read your stuff. You're great! You always get lots of traffic.
Thanks Misty! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
Gwendy: I'm not worried about it. You're right though, I have been very lucky with people coming to read my stuff.
because of your talent CR. You have a great talent, and your really a nice guy and that never hurts.
Aww, thank you. I think you're talented too and consider you a great friend!
I don't know about the talented thing but I do know about the friend part and I also consider you a great friend too.
Awww. Kiss. Ok, so , read any good hubs lately?
Does it mean that Sylvester the cat from Looney Toons talks in spoonerism too?Suffering, succatash?! or Elmer Fudge, be vewee quiet, I'm huntin wabbit. hehehe
I think that might be a lisp. Kisses to CR!
I have been reading some by Schwag and he is so funny. I hadn't run across any of his work until today.
Mayhmong: Gwendy is correct, and "Sufferin succotash" is called alliteration.
Yes. I have read some of his stuff. He's out there. Did you read his profile? OMG! What a life.
yes, it's crazy isn't it. I just thought mine was but when I see someone who has gone through all of that and has such a funny personality it makes me think I could be way more positive in my life.
CR, I ahte to do this but I have to get to bed.
Goodnight dear friend, Sweet dreams.
goodnight Gwendy: Till the next time, sleep tight!
Hi Chris! First time ever I hear about spoonerisms! And what a collection of them in the comments, besides the ones you deliver in your article! I don't think I can make a spoony crack, not even sure I can produce on in Spanish, either! Laugh! This was a great read, and very educational for me! Besos!
I have never heard the term 'spoonerism' until now Christoph, and now that I have, I swear to God this is C.C all over.Mmmmm..... So this is what he may be up to.I am relieved in a way as I am always tempted to correct his spelling. I shall be asking him next time we meet, if spoonerism is indeed responsible for all his unique phrases and words he employs.Sometimes I don't even quite understand his phrasing but I laugh as he is a wonderful person...You know I love your stories.Yet another winner..woohoo. (hugs)
Chris, you have done your homework well. Did you know wordplay did a hub on this? As a youngster i was prone to mking up new words and phrases. i got prtty good at it too. Later on in life i learned that it is usually a talent of those born as Gemini's. don't know if it's true or not. then I learned no long ago what it was that I was doing, thanks to The Old Firm. It is fun and not so easy as it amy seem. And you're right about the goldentoad. haha
Go ahead and do one yourself as W. W. Criter can go eff his self. Have some fun and grner some traffic. thanks for this one. glad Deb told me to come see it for myself. haha thanks Deb
Oh, it will make your spellcheck very challenging to say the least. haha
Elena: thanks for the visit! I'll bet you could do them in Spanish...but since I don't know Spanish, WTF do I know? Sure appreciate your taking some time to read this and leave your comment. It's always a pleasure!
Blondepoet: always a pleasure to see you, my dear. Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it seems that this is what Charlie is up to, but I didn't know what to call it before, nor did I know anything about it's namesake, Dr. Spooner, and that was fun for me to learn about. Thanks again! Hope you have a grand day!
C.C. Riter: Hey. Of course I erred and should have written "R.R. Citer." I don't think I'll be writing a story in this style - you're too difficult an act to follow - plus it was hard enough just keeping up with the conversation last night! Gave me a headache!
I didn't know about Wordplays article. I'll check it out. If I checked everything I wrote to see if someone had written on a subject first, I'd never write anything! Ha! Thanks for the comment, C. C., it's appreciated!
Good point Christoph, we would be forever checking for duplicates, never get anything done. I am quite confident there are no others here regarding severed ear lobes LMAO.xox
Really? Cause I published a hub a week ago called, "How Blondepoet Metaphorically Severed My Earlobes."
Hahaha you reckon so do you. Where should I look for this hub eh. I hope you said you enjoyed the experience. Hey you seen what Misha is doing on Facebook he is offering free ice creams for anyone there wanting to join his fan club here.
Mmm we should get on this Christoph. I should offer to hand feed them grapes in my hawaiin skirt and I'm sure you could offer a little cha cha or something. Lol. No there are some people there I am glad they don't know I am here. I have had to delete a few friends there, was getting hounded with 100's of those application requests. I love them from u guys though.x0x0
Christoph- First I heard about spoonerisms was when CCR mentioned it and he is also very good at it. I guess now that you have mastered the language so well that you feel like playing with it. I am not sure if I would like spoonerism to be included in school curriculum anytime soon (we already have enough tough time mastering all the spellings of regular words to worry about spoonerisms)...LOL
BP: Ha,ha,ha,ha,a,ha,ha,ah,ah,ah,a,ha,h,ah,a,h,ah,ah,ah
CW: I see your point with already so much to learn. Thank you, CW, so nice to here from you. We should meet more often!
Haha Chris is that all you got to say. Cat got your tongue eh....
oops sorry Chris I hit the post comment box twice.
I really liked this hub and learned a new term, "Spoonerisms." I remember when I was a kid and staying with a friend, her mother mentioned something about whether her father packed his "caving shit," instead of his shaving kit. I have never forgotten that and still giggle when reminded of that incident.
Blondepoet: Somethings got my tongue, that's for sure. Just can't seem to get any thoughts out of the ol' coconut. And you can return my tongue at your earliest convenience. RRrrrrrr.
Blondepoet: You like me twice!
Peppermint: That's great and it's an example of a perfect spoonerism! Thanks for sharing it, and thanks for coming by and leaving your hysterical comment!
My Dad does this ALL the time, I'll have to find out if he knows there is a name for it. Some how having a name makes it less dorkey. And no C.C. is not my Dad!
dude I thought I spelt bad
Randy: The name does make it sound less "dorkey." And to find out Spooner was such an intelligent guy, that's pretty good dorkey company! Thanks for commenting!
raiderfan: Well, nobody expects a Raiders fan to be able to spell so don't be too hard on yourself. Thanks for reading!
Psst! Gwendymom and Christoph! Go here --> http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-Wrist-Smart-Direct-FX
Looks like we have to wait for stock.
I want one!
Me too.
Then we can Dick Tracy each other!
Woo hoo! There's a whole group of people who want to Dick Tracy you!
I ask merely for information, buy why is the Nebraska dept. of Education an authority on Spoonerisms?
Gang Tracy'd....gee, I dunno, sounds violent.
No reason. I mean...it means what it means...no reason for an "authority" at all, but their definition thoroughly explained spoonerisms, whereas other sources, say Websters, didn't really explain what they were fully, I didn't think. I agree it looks and sounds weird, but, what the hell.
Compare Websters, "a transposition of usually initial sounds of two or more words," to Nebraska Department of Education, a spoonerism is “the accidental transposition of initial sounds or syllables of two words, usually with humorous results, as roaring pain for pouring rain.”
In short, I just like it better.
That watch is wicked awesome! I wanna Tracy someone too!
I wasn't opining, complaining, nurping, or whinging -- I just thought it hilarious. You're correct, of course -- it's a really well-phrased definition, and now I feel silly at having mentioned it, but then I wondered if there were some special reason why perhaps Nebraska Department of Education was known for its Spoonerismal activity (say, around the spring eqinox or Mayday). And why the hell should you have to defend the choice? Accept my heartfelt apologies. And this beautiful bouquet of flowers. . . (dang, dropped them, sorry.)
It sounds like a veritable orgy of Tracying is going to be going on.
Teresa: Hey, no problems. I wasn't going to say anything, but the U of N is developing a virus that is designed to infect the Internet and "spoonerize" everything! But you hidn't dear that mrom fe.
I liked Teresa's spoonerism that she used in class.
So, Christoph, when I screw up and say something like this, I can just pretend I am doing it on purpose? The problem is, I can apparently SAY them, but can't UNDERSTAND them. They make my brain hurt.
These are all very funny. And I think I'll call GM 'MindyGwom' from now on. Does that make you 'RC'?
I can't recall spoonerizing, but I did put a hot pot of tea in the fridge once!
Laughing Mom: Yes. Teresa's is good, but from a man's perspective, a hard man is not good to find. Kind of scary, actually. Unless it's yourself which is a different matter.
So, yes. From now on just say you did it on purpose and explain spoonerisms to them. They will think you are a genius! And you may call me RC or CR or WTF or anything you like!
Jewels: An interesting concept. Kind of an actual, physical spoonerism. I don't think they have a clever name. Maybe we can name it Julesism?
BT....is that what the kids are calling it these days? :)
Christoph, I hope you're on good terms with Google because when they read this hub and the comments, with all the Spoonerisms and Pig Latin, they're going to think it's all gibberish! Personally, I always enjoyed Dr. Spooner and his twisted tongue, and I enjoyed Stoopnagle, too, when he appeared on the Fred Allen Radio Show feature called "Allen's Alley." I was shocked to see I was not a fan of yours, so I've corrected that poste haste. Sorry I'm late to the party, but I've fallen way behind in my hub reading -- or should I say rub heading?
Mr. Torpey: I had only thought about Google in terms of the sub-headings, which is why I gave the correct spellings in parenthesees. I hope the rest doesn't throw them off. But really, you can't do a spoonerism hub without doing some spoonerisms. Hmmm. I'd better get some links! Thanks for joining my fan club. I've never heard Stoopnagel, nor even heard OF him until I researched this. I wish I could hear him. Thanks for coming by and the comment.
So now I know what to call it whenever anyone says anything about "The whole fam damily"!!! Thanks for this, Christoph!
Hey! Shady Lady! You're home!
I am, indeed! How are you this evening...um...morning?
Sleepy and on my way to dreamland. We are just ships passing in the night. I hope your trip went well and you had some fun! Glad to see you around!
It was fabulous!!! Sad to return to normal life, though. Good night!
Glad to hear it, Shady Lady, that your trip was fab, I mean. Yes, normal life sucks. Welcome back just the same.
*waves to Chris*
Finally getting around to reading some hubs that were published recently...but I'm still plate to the arty.
When I think of spoonerisms I think of jokes like...
What's the difference between a group of intelligent pygmies and a woman's marathon team? One is a band of cunning runts.
Or...what's the difference between mononucleosis and herpes? You get the first by snatching a kiss....
Bad, I know...VERY bad...but they make me laugh cuz I'm rather sick that way.
Okay...back to my list of hubs to read :P
Hi spryte! (Christoph waves to Spryte.) Great to see you, as always and as I always say, but it's so true! Glad you could fit me in to your busy hubreading schedule. Your spoonerism jokes are hysterical! Thanks for adding them! What a hoot.
If you have a chance to fit it in, read this hub. I don't know who wrote it.
Oh no....I KNOW you weren't Christoph when you posted that last comment so don't you be trying to make me think I'm insane!!!
Why, Spryte. I don't know what you're talking about. (wink)
Hmph....and all this time I thought butter would never melt in your mouth and you've been more of a "Last Tango in Paris" kinda butter user.....
I HAVE BEEN DECEIVED!!
LOL :)
I'm not sure I get that butter reference. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, you know. Are you saying I seemed cold, and now I'm hot, hot, hot?
I used a fake idea to get into Last Tango way back yonder. BOR-RING!
I was in my twenties when first introduced to this film by a over-educated film lover who thought it was one of the most erotic pieces of cinema ever created...
I found it rather dull too....but I never forgot the line, "So....do you like butter?" It left no doubt what Marlon Brando planned to do with that butter. NOT that I'm saying that would be how YOU would use butter...but just that butter isn't simply a....oh never mind. I'm confused now.
...consumable food product? ...part of this nutritional breakfast? ...sexual aide for Marlon Brando, but me as well?
*presses lips together firmly and shakes head in a negative manner to indicate a firm resolve not to say anything further*
I can understand how you wouldn't want to tell the Captain - after all, he IS a stranger - but you can tell me. We're the bestest ever friends in the whole wide world!
*whispers in Christoph's ear*
He was awfully close when he said the word "but"...
Ha,ha! Sorry I disappeared. Knock on the door.
Yes, awfully close.
Hi christoph!
I really like your writing style. Thanks for sharing your knowledge about spoonerism. I found it very interesting & amusing.
Mr. Nice: Thanks for coming by and your comment. It's appreciated!
Chris. my old mate it's taken my a wucken feek to read this Hub, but you are such a pheasant plucker I just had to read at ill!
Gloody Breat Hub.
AG: Glad you iked lit. You have actually demonstrated it as a great way to include some great curse words in comments without actually doing it. Thanks, Ag!
Chris. no wucken forries!
Ag, you're a huckin fumorous guy!
Hay I resemble that remark!
You guys are a couple of fart smellers, aren't ya?
Say, whats all this about oonerspisms? I spean moonerisms. Arrggghhh. I'm sying to tray spoonerisms. There. Aaarrrrrgggghhhh.
Chris it looks like spryte may need a butter knife? Or should that be a spreader?
BT: That's a GOOD one!
Yeah Ag. Spryte and I still have to work out the details of the butter thing, but it's bound to be interesting.
Chris are you sure you dont mean it "butter" be interesting? I did not think bondage was your "thing". Or was that bound as in "beaps and lounds".
Ag: Yes. I did mean "butter" be interesting. Thanks for pointing out my typo. And, uh...what bondage? Was that part of the movie? I was only 16 when I saw it so that was like.....uh...100 years ago.
Twoonerisms: Spisted Mongues and Wangled Tords, gery rood vead
CC: Thanks for Boming Cy. Always sood to gee yo!
Thanks Chris. Hope yer well. I'm feeling a lil better now. had to come check on ya. Lots of people here, great. hubbers are wonderful people, love 'em all, mostly haha
This makes me think of a Trivial Pursuit question in the days when we used to play Trivial Pursuit. "Which Robin Hood character should never be spoonerised?" And the answer, which I remembered guessing at the time, is Friar Tuck!
CC: Glad you're feeling better. See you!
Cindyvine. ha! That reminds me of the name song....Chris Chris, bo bis, banana fanana fo fiss...etc. My brother's name was Chuck. haha!
Oh my goodness , it took me 5 minutes to get down the page to comment, well I love spoonerisms and "Yank Thou Spoctor Dooner?" comical..... another enlightment from our wonderful Christoph AYE Captain...!!! Lololol:)
Hi, AE. Glad to entertain you for a minute! Captain? Where? Who?
uhhhuhhhh, *wink* you never cease to amaze me...:)
AE: Don't say that outloud! I thought we were gonna keep that a secret? You amaze me too.
You amaze tee moo?
I was talking to my mother earlier, and realised that one family phrase we all use is relevant - "feak and weeble" instead of "weak and feeble"
Very relevant, LondonGirl. Thanks for the visit!
Yo Christopher!
Need an opinion on the Extreme hub makeover!
Ok, mayhmong.
Thanks for an excellent article on spoonerisms. I love our language and it is really fun when we can discover how it can get twisted around!
Thanks for the comment, Janie. I appreciate your visit. I am a big fan of our language too!
Oh your hub had me chuckling away. I remember when I was in school and had a poem with spoonerisms, which all of us loved. This brought back nostalgic memories. Thank you.
dianacharles: Thank you so much for the nice comment. Happy to have given you the chuckles. Thanks!
I am a big fan of the docotr, bless his tripping tongue. My best bud in college was blessed with an auntie who was an inveterate, natural spoonerizer. She once corpsed all the patrons at an apres ski party by asking the bartender for a "Horny Wallbanger". Thanks for the great hub.
Very interesting, never knew it had a name/definition.
I myself create words that make me smile. You might want to check them at http://www.fun-words.com/ (I don't sell or promote anything, this is strictly for fun).
Leon: Very amusing stuff on your site. Thanks for the comment!
wait...you mean there's an actual fancy schmancy word for that thing I do all the time!?! I'm always wipping flords! All this time I thought I was losing my mind but turns out I was just being clever! :D
Yes, Janetta! Now when people laugh at your toungled tang, you can tell them it's a Spoonerism and you did it on purpose. Then you can tell them they are an idiot. I'm just sayin'. Thanks for the visit!
Hate grub.
itakins: Sell waid! Thanks!
Cris A says:
9 months ago
spoonerisms i can take, but not the bastardization of any language. another great hub, Chris. well-researched and told in your usual flair :D