1. The unintentional use of wrong words: the
misuse of a word through confusion with another word that sounds similar, or the creation of a
new word in an attempt to sound scholarly or educated.
2. absurd or humorous misuse of words, terms, or phrases especially by confusing terms, words or historical events with others.
3. The act of creating
new words out of frustration when one has limited knowledge of a particular event or subject matter.
"'Refudiate,' 'misunderestimate,' 'wee-wee'd up.' English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!'" --a Tweet sent by Sarah Palin in response to being ridiculed for inventing the word "
refudiate," proudly mistaking her illiteracy for literary genius, July 18, 201
In this example, both refudiate and
misunderestimate are examples of
palinpropism.