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spoonerism definition

spoon·er·ism (spo̵̅o̅′nər iz′əm)

noun

an unintentional interchange of sounds, usually initial sounds, in two or more words (Ex.: “a well-boiled icicle” for “a well-oiled bicycle”)

Etymology: after Rev. W. A. Spooner (1844-1930), of New College, Oxford, famous for such slips

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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