November 11, 2007
Lolcat, meet eggcorn
This item will eventually go on the Eggcorn Database (it's not there yet, nor is it in Brians), but since the eggcorn comes with a lolcat, I'm putting it on Language Log as well:
(Hat tip to Ken Mallott.)
Porthole for portal is astonishingly common. In fact, there are so many relevant Google webhits for {"porthole to"} that it looks like a candidate for the "nearly mainstream" category on the database. A few examples:
Porthole to the Past
is a total view of the old town of Deadwood from 1876-9 before it all burned down in 1879. (link)
Commenting on her new business, she told the Hull Daily Mail: "To me, this is a porthole to the rest of the city." (link)
Your porthole to Mars! Time on Mars! Your Mars Clock! (link)
is a total view of the old town of Deadwood from 1876-9 before it all burned down in 1879. (link)
Commenting on her new business, she told the Hull Daily Mail: "To me, this is a porthole to the rest of the city." (link)
Your porthole to Mars! Time on Mars! Your Mars Clock! (link)
Semantically, it's a natural.
Posted by Arnold Zwicky at November 11, 2007 12:55 PM