What is 'malapropism'?

Malapropism refers to the unintentional misuse of a word that sounds similar to the correct word, resulting in a nonsensical or awkward expression. This phenomenon often arises from a misunderstanding or confusion about the meaning or pronunciation of a word, leading speakers or writers to replace it with a different word that they mistakenly believe to be appropriate.

For example, saying "He is the pineapple of politeness" instead of "He is the pinnacle of politeness" illustrates malapropism. Such errors can be amusing and may reveal the speaker's lack of vocabulary or understanding. This concept is significant in literature and everyday language as it often highlights the humorous aspects of language and communication.

The other options describe different literary techniques but do not accurately define malapropism. Deliberate exaggeration refers to hyperbole, omission of words for effect pertains to ellipsis or asyndeton, and a mix of genres relates to the blending of styles or themes, which does not involve the confusion of words.