Eggcorn?

[Laurence Horn]

At 2:07 AM -0500 2/17/07, Wilson Gray wrote:
>
>FWIW, "Cannonball" is said to be an eggcorning of "Cannibal" (he was a
>heavy eater), pronounced "kannih bawl" in Southern BE. I myself used
>to picture "Hannibal" in history and Missouri in my personal phonology
>as "Hannih bawl." Fortunately, I heard it pronounced in sE before I
>had occasion to pronounce it, myself. Hm. Now that I think of it, I'm
>not sure that I've ever had occasion at any time in my life to speak
>"Hannibal" aloud.
>
>-Wilson

Interesting suggestion on eggcorning (or euphemizing?)
reinterpretation of "Cannibal" as "Cannonball".  As for Hannibal, the
name is now more likely to evoke Anthony Hopkins and unpleasant
dining habits than elephants, Alps, and the Punic Wars.  Alas.

L

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