mondegreen
Say it: MON-duh-green /ˈmɒndɪɡriːn/ · noun
What “mondegreen” means
A phrase you mishear as different words, especially in songs.
More precisely: A misheard phrase, especially a song lyric, that creates a new meaning.
Example: “For years I sang 'hold me closer, Tony Danza' — a famous Elton John mondegreen.”
When to use it
Use it when someone hears different words in a lyric or phrase and gives it an unintended new meaning.
Similar words
misheard lyric, mishearing
Where it comes from
Coined by Sylvia Wright, who heard 'laid him on the green' as 'Lady Mondegreen'.
Quick check
A song says “bright day”, but you keep hearing “bride's cake” and imagine a wedding dessert. That's…
a spoonerism or a mondegreen?
Show the answer
a mondegreen
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