Misquote: meaning, definitions and examples
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misquote
[mɪsˈkwoʊt ]
Definitions
in speaking
To misquote is to incorrectly cite or refer to someone's words, often changing the intended meaning or context. This can occur in both written and spoken language. It is considered a significant error, especially in journalism and academic writing.
Synonyms
falsify, misrepresent, misstate.
Examples of usage
- The journalist misquoted the politician in her article.
- I was misquoted in that interview; that's not what I meant.
- Please don’t misquote me when you share my ideas.
- He misquoted the famous author, which led to confusion.
error reference
A misquote is an incorrect or misleading quotation of another person's words, resulting from a mistake in attribution or transcription. Misquotes can significantly alter the perceived meaning of the original statement.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- That quote is a misquote; it doesn't reflect the author's true intent.
- The librarian noted the famous misquote that has circulated over the years.
- Many famous misquotes arise from paraphrasing without proper citation.
- This book clarifies several historical misquotes.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'misquote' combines 'mis-' meaning wrong and 'quote' from Latin 'quotare,' which means to mark a passage.
- It first appeared in the English language around the early 19th century, reflecting the growing importance of accurate speech.
- Historically, misquoting could lead to significant misunderstandings in literature and communication.
Pop Culture
- Famous figures like Mark Twain and Albert Einstein have been misquoted, often leading to humorous or profound misinterpretations of their ideas.
- Movie lines frequently become misquotes; for instance, the famous phrase 'Play it again, Sam' is often mistakenly attributed to the film 'Casablanca'.
- Social media amplifies misquotes, as posts can go viral before fact-checking occurs.
Psychology
- Cognitive biases, such as the confirmation bias, can lead people to misquote sources that align with their beliefs.
- People are more likely to misquote individuals they admire, as they may unintentionally alter the context or content to fit their agenda.
- Misquoting can cause misunderstandings in interpersonal relationships, leading to conflicts.
Literature
- Writers often play with quotes in literature to explore themes of truth and perception, showcasing the significance of accurate wording.
- In poetry, misquoted lines can create unintentional humor or poignancy, altering the intended tone of the piece.
- Misquotations have sparked entire discussions about an author’s meaning and intent, revealing varying interpretations among scholars.
Communication
- In legal contexts, misquotes can lead to serious ramifications, changing the interpretation of contracts and statements.
- Speeches are often subject to misquotes, where subtle changes in wording can affect public perception of the speaker's messages.
- Media outlets can inadvertently misquote public figures, leading to a ripple effect in public opinion.
Translations
Translations of the word "misquote" in other languages:
🇵🇹 citação errada
🇮🇳 गलत उद्धरण
🇩🇪 falsches Zitat
🇮🇩 kutipan yang salah
🇺🇦 неправильне цитування
🇵🇱 błędny cytat
🇯🇵 誤引用
🇫🇷 citation incorrecte
🇪🇸 cita incorrecta
🇹🇷 yanlış alıntı
🇰🇷 잘못된 인용
🇸🇦 اقتباس خاطئ
🇨🇿 nesprávná citace
🇸🇰 nesprávna citácia
🇨🇳 错误引用
🇸🇮 napačen citat
🇮🇸 rangt tilvitnun
🇰🇿 қате дәйексөз
🇬🇪 არასწორი ციტატა
🇦🇿 səhv sitat
🇲🇽 cita incorrecta