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Start-Up Activity
Sometimes using the wrong word is confusing or embarrassing. Sometimes it is hilarious, especially when the error comes from a person in power. Share with students these funny examples of malapropisms:
- "They misunderestimated me." (misunderstood or underestimated) George W. Bush, president of the United States
- "The police are not here to create disorder, they're here to preserve disorder." (order) Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago
- "He was a man of great statue." (stature) Thomas Menino, mayor of Boston
- "This is unparalyzed in the state's history." (unparelled) Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of the House
- "Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts." (Americans) Dan Quayle, vice president of the United States
- "China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters - rips it out of water and takes it to China in unpresidented act." (unprecedented) Donald Trump, president of the United States
Sometimes even the rich and powerful use the wrong word—and suffer for it. This chapter will help students avoid similar gaffes.
Think About It
“Take it with a grin of salt.”
—Yogi Berra, baseball legend
![Using the Right Word Using the Right Word Chapter Opener](https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/sites/k12/files/teacherGuides/chapterOpeners/WriteForCollege_565.jpg)
Start-Up Activity
Sometimes using the wrong word is confusing or embarrassing. Sometimes it is hilarious, especially when the error comes from a person in power. Share with students these funny examples of malapropisms:
- "They misunderestimated me." (misunderstood or underestimated) George W. Bush, president of the United States
- "The police are not here to create disorder, they're here to preserve disorder." (order) Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago
- "He was a man of great statue." (stature) Thomas Menino, mayor of Boston
- "This is unparalyzed in the state's history." (unparelled) Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of the House
- "Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts." (Americans) Dan Quayle, vice president of the United States
- "China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters - rips it out of water and takes it to China in unpresidented act." (unprecedented) Donald Trump, president of the United States
Sometimes even the rich and powerful use the wrong word—and suffer for it. This chapter will help students avoid similar gaffes.
Think About It
“Take it with a grin of salt.”
—Yogi Berra, baseball legend