Misquotation
noun
An incorrect or inaccurate quote or citation.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine." is a common misquotation. The original phrase is actually: "To err is human; to forgive, divine."
Often appears as...
- common misquotation
- famous misquotation
noun
An incorrect or inaccurate quote or citation.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine." is a common misquotation. The original phrase is actually: "To err is human; to forgive, divine."
Often appears as...
- common misquotation
- famous misquotation
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Wrong Attribution
A misquotation can wrongly attribute words to someone who didn't say them.
Crediting Einstein with 'Everyone is a genius...' is a misquotation.
Pro Tip 2/3Changed Meaning
Changing words in a quote can alter its intended message or tone.
A misquotation can twist a reassuring statement into a threatening one.
Pro Tip 3/3Memes & Social Media
Misquotations often spread through social media and can become viral as memes.
The misquotation became a meme and lost its original context.
Compare with
accuracydistortionerrormisrepresent
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Quote examples
Maria Konnikova
American Writer
In the world of speeches and orations, especially historical ones, the persistent misquotation is understandable. You hear a speech. You misremember or mishear a line as something more colorful than it was.
Quote examples
Hesketh Pearson
English Actor
Misquotation is, in fact, the pride and privilege of the learned. A widely- read man never quotes accurately, for the rather obvious reason that he has read too widely.
Quote examples
John McCarthy
American Politician
With no more than six levels of misquotation, any statement can be made to say whatever you wish.
Quote examples
Cary Grant
American Actor
I improve on misquotation.
Quote examples
Maria Konnikova
American Writer
In the world of speeches and orations, especially historical ones, the persistent misquotation is understandable. You hear a speech. You misremember or mishear a line as something more colorful than it was.
Quote examples
Hesketh Pearson
English Actor
Misquotation is, in fact, the pride and privilege of the learned. A widely- read man never quotes accurately, for the rather obvious reason that he has read too widely.
Quote examples
John McCarthy
American Politician
With no more than six levels of misquotation, any statement can be made to say whatever you wish.
Quote examples
Cary Grant
American Actor
I improve on misquotation.
Example 1 of 4
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