A misnomer is a term which suggests an interpretation that is known to be untrue. Here are a few examples:
- An inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
- Greenland is icy and Iceland is greener)
- Panama hats are not made in Panama, but Ecuador
- The “lead” in pencils is made of graphite and clay, not lead
- Northwestern University is in northeastern Illinois, a midwestern state.
- “Tin foil” is almost always actually aluminum.
- Catgut is made from sheep intestines.
- The Hundred Years’ War did not last for 100 years but 116.
- Head cheese is actually a meat product.
- “Horny toads” or “horned frogs” are actually lizards.
- Though a starfish is star-shaped, as the name suggests, it is not a fish.
- An inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
- The titmouse is a bird, not a mouse.
- Jellyfish are not fish.
- The Washington Redskins play in Landover, Maryland.
- The New York Jets and New York Giants play in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Scotland Yard is located in England.
- The “funny bone” is not a bone — the phrase instead refers to the ulnar nerve.
- During its peak, rush hour often lasts more than an hour, with very little, if any, movement.
- A parkway is a type of street or road where parking is generally prohibited.
- A residential driveway is intended for parking.
Also, an inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
well if its not a fish what the hell is it
Grog – It’s sure not 2 inches long!
And Yorkshire pudding isn’t actually served as a pudding, but with the roast beef as part of the main course (or as a starter with gravy in Yorkshire)
And we must always remember: An inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
Yeah, but an inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
Taken from the website of the US Department of Redundancy Department.
Don’t forget about that worm, what was it called again?
A Jack Rabbit is a hare.
A Arctic Hare is a rabbit.
Neither is an inch long nor a worm.
next your going to say centrifugal force doesn’t exist.
The King of Shit Mountain is not a king, nor does he actually have a mountain.
A charley horse is not made of horses.
Also, few people are aware that an inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
or the earth is round, theres this thing called “gravity” holding us on it etc…I’m sure all conspiracies by the government.
Now now, when founded in 1850, Northwestern University was in the northwest!
Northwestern University (my alma mater, btw) is appropriately named since it was the first university in the Northwest Territory in 1851.
the ‘funny bone’ gets it’s name from the humerus bone in the arm as it sounds like humorous, not the ulnar nerve.
but nevertheless, a very interesting list 🙂