See Also: spoonerism(dictionary)
spoonerism(encyclopedia)
spoonerism(dictionary)

spoonerism (iou)



spoonerism noun. M19.
[from Spooner (see below) + -ISM.]
The theory or opinions of the Revd W. A. Spooner (1844-1930), English educationist. Only in M19.
[from Spooner's tendency to make such transpositions.] A (usu. accidental) transposition of the initial sounds, or other parts, of two or more spoken words, as fighting liars from lighting fires. E20.
spoonerize verb trans. alter (a word or phrase) by a spoonerism E20.