Spoonerisms: fun with words

[D. Allan]

This class of silly words is named after a Rev. Archibald Spooner (1844-1930) of New College, Oxford. He had the habit of exchanging the initial sounds of two words. For example:

'Bread dough' becomes 'dead-brough'

'cat food' becomes 'fat cood'

'dog food' > 'fog dood'

At Oxford they have a room named after Rev. Spooner. The students call it the 'Rooner Spoom.'

Some interesting sounds can emerge like motorcycle > cytormocle.

It's more interesting when the result forms actual words as in

'pack of lies' > 'lack of pies,' or 'a pouring rain' > 'a rouring pain.'

try it with your name!

find more here:

http://www.fun-with-words.com/spoonerisms.html

Is anyone else afflicted with this habit? What are some of your favorites?

[Nan]

There was a rather nondedicated history student at Oxford and his frustrated spoonerising professor told him

You have hissed all your mystery lessons

You have tasted almost three worms.

You can leave on the town drain!

[Taylor]

That is good!

[Jeannieb43]

My dad used to tell the story of the nervous deacon:

"Mardon me padam, may I sew you to a sheet?"

[D. Allan]

I have read that you should always try to make an informed decision about your medical treatment. However a surgeon might still make a deformed incision!

[D. Allan]

Next time you get a bear hug watch out you don't get any hair bugs!

Cat - Chow (made by Purina) is an interesting case since a "chow" is a type of dog. Spoonerized cat-chow becomes chat - cow . Chat is the french word for Cat!!! amazing uh? (do the French say that "it is raining cats and cows?? Just wondering...)

[Jeannieb43]

I forgot. There was more to what the nervous deacon said...

Mardon me, padam, you are occupewing the wrong pie.

May I sew you to another sheet?