Eke out > etch out eggcorn?

Mon Feb 11 19:38:45 UTC 2008

On Feb 11, 2008, at 11:19 AM, Phil Cleary wrote:

> "I don't think it's possible for her [Hillary C.] to etch out a
> victory
> in Virginia,...."
>
> http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=2&threadid=360828
> <http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=2&threadid=360828
> >

three hits for {"etch out a victory"}, including this one.  eleven
hits for {"etch out a win"}.

but there are 57 hits for {"edge out a victory"} and 70 for {"edge out
a win"}, so maybe this is a more likely source than "eke".  still,
what sort of error?

(many many more for {"eke out a victory/win"}, of course.)

arnold

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