1. verbal errors in which the initial sounds or letters of two or more words are accidentally transposed, often creating humorous results
Usage: plural form of spoonerism; named after Reverend William Spooner

Examples

• The professor was famous for his spoonerisms, once saying ‘you have hissed my mystery lectures’ instead of ‘you have missed my history lectures.’
• Children often create unintentional spoonerisms when learning to speak quickly.
• His spoonerisms always made the class laugh, like when he said ‘fighting a liar’ instead of ‘lighting a fire.’
• The comedian deliberately used spoonerisms in his routine for comic effect.
• She collected funny spoonerisms she heard throughout the day.
• Common spoonerisms include ‘belly jeans’ for ‘jelly beans’ and ‘tons of soil’ for ‘sons of toil.’
• The radio host’s spoonerisms became so popular that listeners would call in with their own examples.