folk etymology

noun

1. a modification of a linguistic form according either to a falsely assumed etymology, as Welsh rarebit from Welsh rabbit, or to a historically irrelevant analogy, as bridegroom from bridegome.
2. a popular but false notion of the origin of a word.

folk etymology

noun

1. the gradual change in the form of a word through the influence of a more familiar word or phrase with which it becomes associated, as for example sparrow-grass for asparagus
2. a popular but erroneous conception of the origin of a word

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk etymology¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

It was only a matter of time before this pseudo-etymology, or folk etymology, became the main usage.

From New York Times

M ‘miniscule’ Through a popular misconstrual of their parts, and by a process known as “folk etymology”, words can change form without much change of meaning.

From The Guardian

This common meaning for outrage actually grows out of a vagary of folk etymology.

From Slate

Mr. Shapiro said he had little faith that any discovery would sway people from their favorite folk etymology.

From New York Times

At Queensferry, by a folk etymology, one of the lads wears a coat stuck over with burrs. 

From Project Gutenberg