Query: term

[Jim Rader]

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
In lexicography entities like this are sometimes broadly referred to as ghost
 words,
though that term perhaps more usually covers false lemmas that arise
from manuscript misreadings or editorial errors.  I'm not sure your
example would be accurately characterized as a misreading.
 
Jim Rader
 
>
> Larry Trask's list of symbols and abbreviations prompts me to ask
> this question:
>
> What is the term (if there is one) for a "false" word inadvertently
> created by later generations, perhaps by misreading a text?
>
> Specifically, I am thinking of the Old Japanese "word" _ma_ 'horse,'
> which is a sandhi form of _uma_.  However, some dictionary editors
> seem to think it was a word, but in my opinion, _ma_ is nothing more
> than a...
>
> I don't know what term to use here.  Do you?
>
> Best,
>
> Blaine Erickson
> erickson at hawaii.edu
>