# Words that are not the same but get interchanged **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944 "2017-06-02T17:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/1 "2017-06-02T17:05:19Z")
I think there must be quite a few of these. Some are derivatives of each other and do mean the same thing, some are usage driven, and some are just coincidence. I get reminded when a word in a book seems a little off, like: Hearty, hardy Stanch, staunch I had more but these things just fly in and out of my head. What say you all? ---
**Author:** ![Unabashed\_Fascist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Unabashed\_Fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unabashed_Fascist)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/2 "2017-06-02T17:16:12Z")
I see a lot of people using _peaked_ or even worse, _peeked_, when they should be using _piqued_. As in that really piqued my interest. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/3 "2017-06-02T17:26:46Z")
There are lots of these. Sometimes the correct word is uncommon, so people tend to use the more common but incorrect word. Like “mute” instead of “moot”. Others that peeve me: compliment / complement averse / adverse discreet / discrete affect / effect flaunt / flout home / hone (as in “home in on something”) prosecute / persecute tack / tact ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/4 "2017-06-02T17:29:40Z")
remuneration vs renumeration ---
**Author:** ![Unabashed\_Fascist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Unabashed\_Fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unabashed_Fascist)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/5 "2017-06-02T17:35:42Z")
I remember coming across this huge wall of text that contained an absolutely ridiculous number of malapropisms and eggcorns. Seems relevant to the thread, so I’ll quote it here. > [@](#): > > I am sorry to be the baron of bad news, but you seem buttered, so allow me to play doubles advocate here for a moment. For all intensive purposes I think you are wrong. In an age where false morals are a diamond dozen, true virtues are a blessing in the skies, and are more than just ice king on the cake. We often put our false morality on a petal stool like a bunch of pre-Madonnas, but you all seem to be taking something very valuable for granite. > > So I ask of you to mustard up all the strength you can because it is a doggy dog world out there. Although there is some merit to what you are saying it seems like you have a huge ship on your shoulder. In your argument you seem to throw everything in but the kids Nsync, and even though you are having a feel day with this I am here to bring you back into reality. > > I have a sick sense when it comes to these types of things. It is almost spooky, because I cannot turn a blonde eye to these glaring flaws in your rhetoric. I have zero taller ants when it comes to people spouting out hate in the name of moral righteousness. You just need to remember what comes around is all around, and when supply and command fails you will be the first to go. > > Make my words, when you get down to brass stacks it doesn’t take rocket appliances to get two birds stoned at once. It’s clear who makes the pants in this relationship, and sometimes you just have to swallow your prize and accept the fax, instead of making a half-harded effort. You might have to come to this conclusion through denial and error but I swear on my mother’s mating name that when you put the petal to the medal you will pass with flying carpets like it’s a peach of cake. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/6 "2017-06-02T17:39:36Z")
lose/loose (I see that one quite often; though not as often as I used to see it) shuddered/shuttered ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/7 "2017-06-02T17:46:13Z")
Led/lead Gantlet/gauntlet Font/fount Palate/pallet/palette Hordes/hoards Prescribe/proscribe Sent from my LGMS631 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/8 "2017-06-02T18:15:52Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > lose/loose (I see that one quite often; though not as often as I used to see it) > shuddered/shuttered That loose/lose thing is weird to me. I have never made that mistake in my life and never saw it until the internet message era. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/9 "2017-06-02T18:23:26Z")
> [@](#): > > That loose/lose thing is weird to me. I have never made that mistake in my life and never saw it until the internet message era. For me, the first time I ever saw it was late '90s. Buffy The Vampire Slayer fanfic, actually. I saw a lot then (I think I even checked to make sure all weren’t same author). And since then, I’ve seen it every so often, in various places online. I agree that it’s not a mistake I’ve ever made myself. So I’d never seen it before the internet-era, either. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/10 "2017-06-02T18:23:54Z")
Previously posted by me: > [@Lamenting the merging meaning of words that used to mean something different](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamenting-the-merging-meaning-of-words-that-used-to-mean-something-different/785380/13): > > Conscious and conscience. Particularly basketball announcers who claim that a hot shooter is unconscious when that clearly is not possible. He is stabbing the dagger in your heart and twisting it over and over, so clearly he has no conscience. Go Warriors! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/11 "2017-06-02T18:43:59Z")
Thanks to **Unabashed Fascist** for the Malaprop essay. Some of those were real groaners. Seen on Facebook recently - A person who writes ‘burro’ when they should write ‘burrow’ literally doesn’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/12 "2017-06-02T19:01:11Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > Previously posted by me: > Go Warriors! I think they mean he’s on autopilot and making shots without thinking. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/13 "2017-06-02T20:12:19Z")
I have an entire book of these, the wonderful **Penguin Dictionary of Confusibles** > **[The Penguin Dictionary of Confusibles: Room, Adrian: 9780140054514: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Dictionary-Confusibles-Adrian-Room/dp/0140054510)** > > The Penguin Dictionary of Confusibles \[Room, Adrian\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Penguin Dictionary of Confusibles It not only gives pairs (and triplets, and quadruplets) of words of similar meaning, but also parses the differences between them. Sadly, it was published in 1980, to my knowledge hasn’t been reprinted, and is this Out Of Print. Your best bet is Alibris or Abe’s or Amazon or some other online used-book source. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/14 "2017-06-02T20:40:06Z")
A brake is something you use to stop a moving vehicle. If you are braking, you are slowing down. A break is an interruption of some kind (a break from work, a break in a structure). If you are breaking, you are falling apart. “Damp” means to reduce or mitigate. It’s often used in engineering contexts to describe the reduction of oscillations or movement in a system. On your car, shock absorbers damp the movement of the suspension; dampers are doors in HVAC ducts that control the movement of air. “Dampen” means to moisten. Rain dampens the street. Your mom dampens a washcloth with her own spit to wipe that smudge off of your cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/15 "2017-06-02T20:44:08Z")
rain/rein/reign ---
**Author:** ![moldmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@moldmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moldmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/16 "2017-06-02T20:59:27Z")
The one that drives me nuts: idea/ideal ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/17 "2017-06-02T21:02:49Z")
disperse/disburse – I just saw that one recently. Also, not what the OP asked, but my voice-to-text for my voicemail once came up with “cat wrecked” when my mother left a message about her cataract surgery. Also “expostulate” does not mean “guess,” just because it sounds like “postulate”-- which doesn’t really mean guess either, but it’s closer. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/18 "2017-06-02T21:09:26Z")
compose/comprise ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/19 "2017-06-02T21:17:53Z")
I’ve seen extrapolate confused with exacerbate. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944/20 "2017-06-02T21:18:15Z")
If you read the local “FOR SALE” pages on Facebook you’ll see tons of these. One woman was trying to sell (or sale) her uncle’s fishing waders. She used “waiters” instead of “waders” and she did it over and over and over. “My uncle needs to sale his fishing waiters. They are great waiters, no leaks” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-are-not-the-same-but-get-interchanged/787944.md?page=2)