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I was surprised not to find the palate/palette alteration in the
Eggcorn Database, as IME it has been quite common. We are not
talking about the physical--inside the mouth--palate 1. (OED). That
would give little cause for calling it an eggcorn. I can't think of
a particularly plausible explanation that would justify someone to
claim this is more than a simple word choice error. But the other
palate--palate 2.--the range of taste--is more in line with being an
eggcorn. And I got one live.<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://goo.gl/DS3O0">http://goo.gl/DS3O0</a><br>
<blockquote type="cite">The difference between a locally grown
heirloom tomato and the mass produced one is pretty obvious to
anyone with a palette -- but amongst the infinite variation of
different varieties of a fruit, is there something you can link
directly to deliciousness?</blockquote>
<br>
From OED:<br>
<br>
Palate<br>
<blockquote type="cite">2.a. The palate (sense <span
class="crossReferencePopup"><span class="xref"> A. 1a</span></span>)
considered as the seat of taste; (hence) the sense of taste; a
sense of appreciation of taste and flavour, esp. when
sophisticated and discriminating.<br>
b. <i>fig</i>. Mental taste, liking, or affinity.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
Palette<br>
<blockquote type="cite">1.a. A thin flat board or tablet on which an
artist lays and mixes colours. Also <em>fig.</em><span
class="note" id="eid32532177">Typically oval in shape and having
a thumb hole so that it can be carried in one hand while
painting with the other.</span>
<div class="top"> b. A range or selection of colours, esp. as used
by a particular artist or in a particular painting.</div>
<div class="top"> c. Any range or assortment of similar items,
qualities, etc., from which selection is or can be made; (<em>Music</em>)
the characteristic range of tonal or instrumental colour in a
particular musical piece or a particular composer's work. Also
more generally: a variety or choice, a spectrum.</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
You can see how interpreting "palate" as a "range of tastes", one
can easily bridge the gap to palette 1.c.<br>
<br>
VS-)<br>
<br>
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