# Forensic etymology

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forensic-etymology/657946>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 10, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forensic-etymology/657946 "2013-05-10T00:37:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forensic-etymology/657946/1 "2013-05-10T00:37:09Z")

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I tend to misread or mishear things. Even when I don’t, some words seem to rattle around in my head until they become deformed anyway. On occasion, the result can be amusing, if you define that term broadly enough.

Two words I always associate are entomology and etymology. So in reading an article in the local paper about forensic entomology, I made the usual deliberate substitution. I then had an image of a crime scene with detectives huddled over a body with the medical examiner. In hushed voices they’re trying to decide the cause of death. ‘Clearly it was a killer word, or possibly phrase - judging from the exit wound.’ Then using forensic evidence, they try to discover the word origin.

Right. Putting the bong down in 3…2…1… Imma get back to you on that.

I was wondering if there might be other combinations like this. Nonsensical but in some warped and twisted way that probably only other dopers can appreciate - humorous. Probably not, but I prefer not to underestimate you. 🙂