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Wikipedia defines “spoonerism” as :
an error in speech (aka play of words) in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched between two words in a phrase. These are named after the Oxford don and ordained minister William Archibald Spooner, who reputedly did this.
Here are some examples found in wikipedia:
- “Three cheers for our queer old dean!” (rather than “dear old queen,” which is a reference to Queen Victoria)
- “Is it kisstomary to cuss the bride?” (as opposed to “customary to kiss”)
- “The Lord is a shoving leopard.” (instead of “a loving shepherd”)
- “A blushing crow.” (“crushing blow”)
- “A well-boiled icicle” (“well-oiled bicycle”)
- “You were fighting a liar in the quadrangle.” (“lighting a fire”)
- “Is the bean dizzy?” (“Dean busy”)
- “Someone is occupewing my pie. Please sew me to another sheet.” (“Someone is occupying my pew. Please show me to another seat.”)
- “You have hissed all my mystery lectures. You have tasted a whole worm. Please leave Oxford on the next town drain.” (“You have missed all my history lectures. You have wasted a whole term. Please leave Oxford on the next down train.”)
Do not miss the other interesting examples given in the above wikipedia page :flutter by (butter fly), Resident Pagan” (President Reagan) , US’s periodic practice of “Licking their Peaders” (Picking their leaders), NSA “poopin’ on Snutin” (Snoopin’ on Putin) and “phugging everybody’s bones” (bugging everybody’s phones).