Acyrologia (n.): (Rhetoric) the imprecise use of language, failure to use the proper term.
This word, which I came upon in the commentary on Donatus’ Barbarismus attributed to Robert Kilwardby (as translated in the recent rhetorical door-stopper edited by Rita Copeland and Ineke Sluiter), is a treasure and a joy forever. In the relevant passage, the commentator explains that an allegorical intention can excuse acyrologia. That is, if an instance of improper language use is “perpetrated on purpose for special effect” it becomes a species of allegory, and is thus no longer inappropriate.[1]
We’ve all found plenty of example of this in student work: I can think of one that made me chuckle while marking exam papers earlier this year in which I was assured that life for “pheasants” was particularly difficult in medieval times. Poor fowls. Not sure why they had it so tough… But for some reason, more than student malapropisms, this made me think of my grandfather, one of whose favourite sayings was “looks like an obstacle illusion!” I’m pretty sure this would have constituted acyrologia if it hadn’t been intended for humorous effect… Good one, Gramps!
[1] Medieval Grammar and Rhetoric: Language Arts and Literary Theory, A.D. 300–1475, ed. by Rita Copeland and Ineke Sluiter (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), (p. 734). The quote comes from the editors’ definition and discussion of the term at n. 54.
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November 21, 2012 at 6:30 am
Bavardess
I guess life for pheasants was pretty tough if they lived near the local castle! Sometimes, students can be extraordinarily (if unintentionally) apt. I had an essay earlier this year that included the wonderful sentence ‘when the plague had run its corpse’ – a very succinct summary of life in England ca. 1348-9.
November 21, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Kathleen Neal
That’s a great one! If only there were more like that, rather than the more common their/there/they’re examples of the species…