Definition: 

A wrong name or inappropriate designation.  [REF]

Deconstruction:

Contrary to popular belief, this expression is not directly tied to an explicit societal misunderstanding.  In contrast, misnomers are commonly accepted terms, that just don’t make sense, often with the benefit of hindsight.  Or deeper analysis, as this definitional exploration aims to do.

The word origin comes from “mesnomer” in Old French, meaning “to name wrongly”.  The root, like most technical terms of yore, links to a Latin verb, “nominare”, which obviously and literally translates to the modern English “nominate”. 

Such florid language, dating back to the mid-15th century, understandably started in the legal field, to identify a mistakenly accused person.  It wasn’t until the 1630’s that this word was used to highlight an inaccurate designation outside the courtroom setting.  Since then, literary inexactitudes have been piling up in every language around the globe.    

Since this term peaked at the end of the 19th century, frequency of usage has declined by more than half.  Either selected terminology for communication is becoming more exacting, or interacting individuals have simply stopped caring about accuracy.  Likely the latter, considering the proliferation of modern misinformation spewed across the internet.

Words and definitions were easier to generate and link, back in simpler times, with logically and literally named items, in both the natural and manmade realms.  In this current researchable landscape, all verbiage is closely scrutinized, leading to discovery of misnomers galore.   

From a literary standpoint, it’s generally acceptable to use misnomers for informal writing, but not appropriate within formal research paper offerings.  This post leans decidedly towards the former format.

These confusing phrases materialize in many different ways, some simplistic and innocent, others much more convoluted.

Often, misnomers develop over time as the product type or means of manufacture changes, while the archaic terminology remains linked.  Tin versus aluminum, for both foil and cans, aiding all manner of cooking and consumption activities.  Blackboards are now whiteboards, with both color and composition substantially modified.  Pencils, the writing medium transitioning lead to graphite for safety reasons, benefiting the few folks who still scribble on physical paper.

Misnomers are also quite common when identifying wildlife.  These silly names are often a product of the complex scientific systems which represent the foundations of biology.  Apparently, formal rules aren’t sufficient to quantify the absurd diverse breadth of the ecological environment.  As evidenced by the list below.

Koala Bears = Type of marsupial rather than a mammal, small and cuddly as opposed to large and fierce.

Hermit Crabs = Not actually true crabs of the Brachyura order.  Also, these creatures are quite nomadic rather than sedentary, as they grow and seek out new shells frequently.

Fireflies = These are beetles, which generate their light from a chemical reaction.  No pyrotechnics needed.

Horned Toads = Critters are categorized as lizards, in the reptile classification, as opposed to normal toads, which are amphibians.  Not to mention the lack of any actual antler material; while the prominent head spikes have some underlying bone structure, depending on species, most of the pointy protrusions on these peeps are sharp scales.

Velvet Ants = Flying wasps who are fuzzy, but not friendly.  And can leave the ground at will.

Starfish & Jellyfish = Debatably star shaped and doubtablely made from jelly.  Both are definitely not fish.

Bald Eagles = Minimal explanation needed.  This American icon, while old in origin, has a majestic head covered in white feathers.  But, the visual reference is understandable, when this big bird, with contrast plumage, is viewed, either perched or soaring. 

Geography is another common offender with regards to confusing titles.  This issue stems from a variety of factors: explorer claims based on limited information, foreign languages lost in translation, changing continental conditions over time.

Here’s a deep dive into a pair of very common, very confused, very classic, examples.  Context is key.

The Canary Islands are an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, which were originally explored by the Romans way back in 1st century A.D.  Upon arrival, they discovered the islands infested with a large pack of feral canines.  As a result, these explorers named the location “canaria insula”, with translates to “island of wild dogs” in the native language.  This root is even more well-known today; the Latin term “canis”, part of the easily observable “Canis Major” constellation in the night sky, which includes the famous dog star “Sirius”.

In modern times, tourists frequently travel to these same islands without worrying about being accosted by savage mongrels.  In fact, the main fauna draw for visitors is a multitude of colorful fowl, most notably yellow-green canaries, which are native to the region, and thus quite plentiful.  Essentially none of these sightseers realize this place is named after dogs as opposed to birds, considering the nearly identical pronunciation for both wild inhabitants.

To this day, the Canary Island’s official coat of arms displays a pair of pooches, rather than a collection of canaries for which the land is now misnomerly named.  Language confusion comes in many forms, amplified by translation issues, and reinforced over time.

The fact that the names of Greenland and Iceland should be switched is a trope known by any perceptive middle school student.  One needs only to review and shape, topography, and most obviously color, of these adjacent countries, positioned in the northmost portion of the Atlantic Ocean, to realize the confusion.  Especially when looking at a heavily distorted Mercator projection map.

Iceland is a relatively small island of volcanic origin, with lush alpine woodlands, and 4 distinct seasons annually.  Meanwhile, Greenland is a massive expanse, extending well into the Arctic Circle, that’s almost entirely covered in ice.  Where did the naming scheme go wrong?

As with many ancient designations which have overstayed their relevance, seafaring traveler gaffs are to blame.  In this case, not surprising considering the location of these lands, the Vikings are the guilty party.

Iceland was identified way back in the 9th century by pioneering explorer Flóki Vilgerðarson.  Upon arrival at the frosty western fjords, he climbed to the highest point around, and observed many icebergs floating in the ocean.  Combined with his season of arrival, during the snowy winter months, the selected Iceland verbiage made more sense back then than it does today.

Greenland’s odd moniker is attributed to another Viking, famous Erik the Red.  Exiled from Iceland for crimes committed, he needed a way of recruiting sailors for his journey to find a new homeland.  The target destination for this voyage became a lovely sounding region dubbed Greenland.  Who wouldn’t want to join this mission to this obviously lucky and plentiful destination?  Once the brave expedition arrived in their new home, the true harshness of Greenland was realized.  But the location was already named, and has stuck to this day. 

The flora field is another area where naming nonsense is crazily common.  Nerdy botanists have much different syntax motivations than normal home cooks.  The tasty dinner menu below highlights this point.  

-          A starter salad of Jerusalem Artichokes and Cherry Tomatoes.    

-          The main course is a dozen Buffalo Wings coated with crushed Peanuts.

-          Dessert is Strawberries dipped in White Chocolate sauce.

All these ingredients are familiar and easily recognizable at the grocery store.  However, explaining to an alien why these particular names have been selected in the English language is much more challenging.

Jerusalem Artichokes, a tuber more commonly known as sunchokes, are a plant in the sunflower family, which originated and proliferated in North America.  Cherry Tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable; yet these red orbs are found with other savory offerings in the produce section. 

Buffalo Wing are of avian, as opposed to mammalian, or Pegasus fictional, origin.  The lead descriptor is tied to the Erie Lake adjacent city which invented this fried food.  Peanuts are legumes, growing underground rather than falling from a tree.  

By definition, berries must be generated in their parent plant from a single ovary, which is not the case for Strawberries, and nearly every other flavorful berry humans consume.  White Chocolate ironically doesn’t contain any cocoa solids, which is the essence of this sweet candy delicacy, but at least explains the color descriptor.

Country confusion is another recurring theme with regards to misnomers.

English horns are actually Polish woodwinds.  Chinese Checkers was invented in Germany in 1892, and has no relation to the original game of Checkers.  French fries, are of course, a decidedly American indulgence.  Plus, the French horn was originally of German design and manufacture.  Apparently, the brass section in most orchestras are slow learners.  And Europeans often get confused about geography. 

Most amusingly, with the benefit of historical research, the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, Roman, or an empire.  But the term sounds good in the record books.

On a laughing note, a final misnomer contribution is the oddly dubbed “funny bone”.  Everyone knows the sharp pain induced from just a slight bump at the elbow’s tip, where the ulnar nerve of the arm is located.  While the exact origin of this now-common English term is not confirmed, some literary researchers presume this could be an amusing play-on-words for the “humerus”, the medical descriptor for the upper bone of the arm.  Which would represent classic British humor.

Details:

• Terse misnomer etymology.  [REF]

• Proper literary practices with regards to these misappropriated terms.  [REF]

• Wide ranging list of 34 misnomers.  [REF]

• History of Iceland and Greenland discoveries.  [REF]

• Unique terms that are completely confused from an origin standpoint.  [REF]

• Amusing crowd-sourced blog on misnomer foods for folks who prefer a chat format.  [REF]