Sumpsimus (Noun)
Meaning
A correct expression that takes the place of a popular but incorrect expression; "he preferred his erroneous but pleasing mumpsimus to the correct sumpsimus".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The linguist spent years trying to popularize the correct sumpsimus, but the public preferred the catchy mumpsimus.
- In the debate, the moderator corrected the speaker's mumpsimus with the correct sumpsimus, much to the audience's surprise.
- The dictionary editor made sure to include the sumpsimus as the preferred term, while noting the common mumpsimus.
- The professor's students were shocked to learn that their beloved mumpsimus was actually an error, and that the correct term was sumpsimus.
- The language purist was delighted to see the sumpsimus being used in the newspaper article, rather than the usual mumpsimus.