misnomer

[ mis-noh-mer ]

noun

1. a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.
2. an error in naming a person or thing.

misnomer

/ ˌmɪsˈnəʊmə /

noun

1. an incorrect or unsuitable name or term for a person or thing
2. the act of referring to a person by the wrong name

Confusables Note

Misnomer is not a fancy, more elevated word for mistake. Nor is it a synonym for misstatement, misconception, or misunderstanding. As the word's Latin etymon nōmināre (“to name”) tells us, a misnomer is a special kind of mistake: a wrong name. The consequences of a mistake can range from trivial to catastrophic—from typos to train wrecks. But a misnomer is often just embarrassing, like trying to impress a friend by referring to a Burgundy wine as a “Bordeaux.” Sometimes, however, what began as a misnomer has become a standard term: the game of Chinese checkers does not come from China; the funny bone is a nerve, not a bone; hay fever is not caused by hay and is not a fever; and a pregnant woman's morning sickness can occur at any time of day. Other kinds of mistakes or misunderstandings—giving a driver wrong directions, thinking that the earth is flat, drawing an erroneous conclusion—are not misnomers. In fact, the word misnomer when used to describe a behavioral mistake or a misperception of reality is itself a misnomer!

Word History and Origins

Origin of misnomer¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French mesnomer “to misname,” equivalent to mes- negating prefix + nomer “to name, call by name,” from Latin nōmināre; mis- ¹, nominate

Word History and Origins

Origin of misnomer¹

C15: via Anglo-Norman from Old French mesnommer to misname, from Latin nōmināre to call by name

Example Sentences

“It’s a misnomer to say, ‘Oh, it’s the easy way out.’

From Los Angeles Times

If “far” suggests outlier, it has become a misnomer.

From New York Times

“For someone who doesn’t usually use a straw to drink but does have lip wrinkles, using an anti-wrinkle straw is not going to be very helpful,” she continued, “so it’s really a misnomer.”

From New York Times

But critics say referring to them as “less lethal” is a misnomer because the weapons have the potential to cause serious harm.

From Los Angeles Times

The symbol is a consequential misnomer of loss and recovery.

From Salon