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Solecism: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Solecism noun. A grammatical mistake, or a breach of good manners.
How to say it
SOL-ih-siz-um/ˈsɒlɪsɪz(ə)m/
4 syllables, stressed on the first (SOL).
Solecism in a sentence
Starting a sentence with 'and' is no longer the solecism it once was.
Arriving empty-handed was, by my mother's standards, a serious social solecism.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- error
- blunder
- gaffe
- faux pas
Where solecism comes from
From Greek soloikos, speaking incorrectly, said to refer to the poor Greek of Soloi in Cilicia.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Arriving empty-handed was, by my mother's standards, a serious social _____.
- solecism
- neologism
- euphemism
Show the answer
solecism: Arriving empty-handed was, by my mother's standards, a serious social solecism.