A Spoonerism is a deliberate (or accidental) play on words in which the corresponding consonants of two words, vowels, or morphemes are switched between two words in a sentence to create two new words. For instance, “talking back” becomes “balking tack.” The name comes from an Oxford minister, Rev. William A. Spooner, who was notorious for making these mistakes. He must have been an entertaining minister to listen to! The poor fellow didn’t appreciate the honour of using his name for such mistakes; he had enough on his plate with being Albino with poor eyesight, but he was well-liked, and the dubious honour accorded him was kindly meant.
Here are a few examples (the interchangeable letters are capitalized):
The Weight of Rages will press hard upon the employer. (Rev. Spooner)
a Tip of the Slung
Dear old Queen / Queer old Dean
Runny Babbit
is the Bean Dizzy?
Fight in your Race
a Pack of Lies
Pest in DRink
the Might is in my Lies
Belly Jeans
BRimulate your Stain
as the FLow CRies
SMart Feller
I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
SHake a Tower
well-boiled icicle, well-oiled bicycle
the Pea little THrigs
Roaring with Pain
Ragged Jocks
the Loose that Gaid the olden Geggs
the Mog in the Danger
the Pag at the STool
Beeping SLeauty
… and the Gist Loes on!
All I can say is, Roonerisms SPock!
Stephanie Huesler 