Sheridan....it's you darling....

Its not such a bad habit I suppose......but it brings me to the glaring attention of others!

I kinda....erm.....get words mixed up.....a lot!

It manages to send hoots of laughter across our office.

I first noticed it at University. I couldn't write a goddamn Feminist Theory essay without getting EMANCIPATE and EMACIATE mixed up. Though I don't think it would have mattered too much, I could have plagiarised myself for my essay on eating disorders!!

Then there was the time when I asked Unlucky if he had gone all INCOGNITO......I mean INCOMMUNICADO!!! Yes PPQ and Unlucky were japing about dark glasses and false beards for weeks on that one. Though it looks like Unlucky took my advice on the beard!!

At least we've managed to turn it into a game, of sorts:

PPQ: ".......yes they are very prolific......"
MC: "What would I say?

hmnnnnnnnnn

MC & PPQ in unison: "PROPHYLACTIC"

It's all well and good, but I don't understand where it comes from. It's not as if my childhood world wasn't overflowing with words......

I ain't fick or nuffink! I couldn't escape doozer's educationalist "REPEAT AFTER ME" training, she was a teacher after all. Green Man and I were the only ones starting primary school who could already read and write.....oh the shame!!!

I digress.

I think the words must be stored in one brain compartment and the definitions in another. Unfortunately they're not linked!!!

So I sit here......checking my words in my Collins Dictionary just to pre-empt the hilarity at my expense....and withstanding the...."MC are you reading the dictionary again?!?!?!?!"; just for the joy of using words and having other people understand me.

BTW, if you are wondering what the word is.....it's MALAPROPISM.