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Spoonerism

Spoonerisms are funny!  But where does the name for them come from?

Please rate, comment and favorite over at YouTube to help the video. :-)

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83 Comments and 11 threads

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  1. wordturbo says: 47
    February 8, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    The best “Spoonerism” joke I have seen was written on a bathroom stall wall at the University of Colorado at Denver in 1983. Only the question was there. The answer appeared two weeks later.

    “What is the difference between a cornhusker with epilepsy and a prostitute with diarrhea?”

  3. kaibanator says: 45
    February 3, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks for making a video about spoonerisms Marina. I’ve been wanting to see that for ages :D

    As far as spoonerisms go, I remember my mum used to saying things like, Swimney Cheep (Chimney Sweep) as well as Chooked Cicken (Cooked Chicken). The “Tuck Sitties” title cracked me up too :lol:

  4. bsomebody says: 44
    February 3, 2010 at 8:18 am

    my dad used to use spoonerisms all the time. Every once in a while, he would accidentally get something funny. One that sticks in my mind to this day was wristmas chrapping paper. :???:

  6. Che Mero says: 42
    February 1, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Did you get a stunt double for the fall? ;-)

  7. rimbaud says: 41
    February 1, 2010 at 9:55 am

    History of our Ancestors in the 1500’s

    They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery……..if you had to do this to survive you were “Piss Poor”

    But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn’t even afford to buy a pot…….they “didn’t have a pot to piss in” & were the lowest of the low

    The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

    Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.. However, since they were starting to smell . .. . brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

    Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water!”

    Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs.”

    There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.

    The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, “Dirt poor.” The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a Thresh Hold.

    (Getting quite an education, aren’t you?)

    In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

    Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, “bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

    Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

    Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the Upper Crust.

    Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding A Wake.

    England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus,someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a Dead Ringer….

    And that’s the truth…Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !

  8. swampwiz says: 40
    February 1, 2010 at 8:11 am

    Marina, this was an interesting video that makes me what to spoon your crannies.

  9. Zan says: 39
    January 31, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Yes, my teacher… I was just thinking…. I’d really like to muck my farina. Perhaps I need more water in it? Why aren’t there any women like you here in NH? Keep me smiling!

  10. Venomrock67 says: 38
    January 31, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Rindercella The Dyslexic Princess: A cucking falamity. ;-)

    Do you like listening to some soul of ballad when eating your bowl of salad?…. while eating popcorn and watching your :twisted: cop porn. :x :smile:
    You become spaghettified :lol:

    Pearl Jam arose from the ashes of Mother Love Bone. Lead singer Andrew Wood died only days before the scheduled release of the band’s debut album ‘Apple.’ He never reached the stars. :sad:

    :razz: :cool:

    Have fun at the Grammys Marina, although not my cup of tea, your gal Lady Ga Ga might do good. ;-)
    ciao :smile:

  11. aaron_fluff says: 37
    January 31, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    Hey, can you do a video for [why some words have gender] especially in foreign languages

  12. chrisbutz26 says: 36
    January 31, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Hi Marina…i always end up saying “begs and eacon”

  13. leoNard says: 35
    January 31, 2010 at 10:57 am

    [sit-ups]…exercise :x the mind is what Marina and her H-O-TforW-O-R-D-S…did———–Know Ducking the ditties with Marina Bucking the Kitties…Piper “butt tucking”…have you the one about Dr. Butt-Tuck, sister to the skinny on fat [clinic] :lol: she was CHICY :P [chic] :P tough cities….

  14. rimbaud says: 34
    January 31, 2010 at 10:53 am

    1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

    2. Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

    3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

    4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?

    5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

    6. Why does “slow down” and “slow up” mean the same thing?

    7. Why does “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?

    8. Why do “tug” boats push their barges?

    9. Why do we sing “Take me out to the ball game”
    when we are already there?

    10. Why are they called ” stands” when they are made for sitting?

    11. Why is it called “after dark” when it really is “after light”?

    12.. Doesn’t “expecting the unexpected” make the unexpected expected?

    13.. Why are a “wise man” and a “wise guy” opposites?

    14. Why do “overlook” and “oversee” mean opposite things?

    15. Why is “phonics” not spelled the way it sounds?

    16. If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?

    17.. If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

    18. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

    19. If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

    20. Why is bra singular and panties plural?

    21.. Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote control
    when you know the batteries are dead?

    22. Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase?

    23. How come abbreviated is such a long word?

    24. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren’t we clean when we use them?

    25.. Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

    26. Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one?

    27. Christmas – What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?

    28. Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway ?

    • pedanticKarl says: 34.1
      January 31, 2010 at 11:27 am

      Regarding:
      #20. Why is bra singular and panties plural?

      A similar question came up on the “First Date Tips” page.
      äläx provided a link to that kind of question.
      http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pai1.htm

      Here is an abstracted summary:
      Before the days of modern tailoring, such garments, whether underwear or outerwear, were indeed made in two parts, one for each leg. The pieces were put on each leg separately and then wrapped and tied or belted at the waist.

      The plural usage persisted out of habit even after the garments had become physically one piece. The bra was always a single piece garment.

  15. Alex Pesic says: 33
    January 31, 2010 at 8:10 am

    PLEASE RESEARCH THIS WORD PLEASE!!! ;-) (Cure), thank u soo much Marina, ur gorgeous in every way

  17. AllynTygrrr says: 31
    January 31, 2010 at 6:12 am

    yame pour nrice

    wou yin

    wou yish

    make ne tow

    lolz

    I LOVE spooning!!!

    Especially when heads turn slowly…

    …and bodies gently twist…

    …as softly breathing alone helplessly draws lips magnetically into bliss…

    Like this?

    http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-6747031-passion.php

    Bad Allen! Bad (oh so good) Allen!!!

    lolz

  18. pedanticKarl says: 30
    January 31, 2010 at 6:00 am

    Here are some classical spoonerisms.
    • Let me sew you to your sheet
    • Is it kisstomary to cuss the bride?
    • The Lord is a shoving leopard
    • A well-boiled icicle
    • Hoobert Heever which might be a forkerism
    • We’ll have the hags flung out

  19. pedanticKarl says: 29
    January 31, 2010 at 5:46 am

    Archie Campbell of Hee Haw Fame Narrates
    Betty Boops 1934 Cinderella.
    Spoonerisms include, coreign fountry, mugly other,
    prandsome hince, bancy fall, gairy modfother, wagic mand,
    nidmight, widden hindow, lell in fove, mid clock strucknight,
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaSMqttJSZQ

  20. pedanticKarl says: 28
    January 31, 2010 at 5:30 am

    My favorite fairy tales are
    Rindercella and Beeping Sleauty

  21. Elijah says: 27
    January 31, 2010 at 5:22 am

    TIG OL’ BITTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. wetsuit5 says: 26
    January 31, 2010 at 5:10 am

    Liss my Kips.
    This seems like a fun new spin or type of pig latin.
    I fink you started a new thad.
    Miss Ke. (ain’t about bad typing)

  23. nyroadrage says: 25
    January 31, 2010 at 4:43 am

    Here is a spoonerism for you:
    What is the difference between a dumb brunette and the Panama Canal?

    One of them is a busy ditch :-)

  24. keefc2 says: 24
    January 31, 2010 at 4:31 am

    Comedian Ronnie Barker is famous for his ’spoonerisms’ in the UK.
    Heres one of his sketches.. Maybe not all true spoonerisms but still amusing.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcrs5Z7S-oM

    Heres another good one using letters as language.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWMcRlE1mQ

  25. pandion says: 23
    January 31, 2010 at 1:49 am

    Sorry no spoonerisms for me, I’ll have to do some make-up work later.
    Now,
    back to the book I am reading.

  26. kolia says: 22
    January 31, 2010 at 1:49 am

    The gymnasts displayed some cunning stunts.
    “Peas and carrots” is a spoonerism of “keys and parrots”
    - “tea bags” becomes “bee tags”
    - “trail mix” becomes “mail tricks”
    - “Save the whales” becomes “wave the sails”
    - “forearm” becomes “oar farm”

  27. animalntaz says: 21
    January 30, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    I use to confuse Michelle Phan for bubzbeauty. :mrgreen:

  28. doncross2bear says: 20
    January 30, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    I used to know a bunch of Spoonerisms and I can come up with some tomorrow, but right now I’m really tucking fired so I’ll most pore tomorrow.xoxoxodc

  29. smokey36bear says: 19
    January 30, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    Homework: Pobody’s Nerfect

  30. xpixiexsticksx says: 18
    January 30, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    I would like to request the word [hogwash] and [french kissing].

  31. mkowa says: 17
    January 30, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    PS- you can change your hair all you want…I love your EYES! :grin:

  32. mkowa says: 16
    January 30, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    Why do people have accents? In most countries when people speak the same language, there are accent or speech differences? Yourself, being Russian, why do you have the Russian accent when you have such a clear and educated comprehension of English? I understand language patterns from different areas of the same country, but why do people that have learned another language have an accent that typifies themselves as being from a certain country?
    -(and why is Russian so dang hard to learn? I’m just trying to understand the alphabet!)
    -Mike

  33. ferseno says: 15
    January 30, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    [male version of crone]

  34. spelcheck says: 14
    January 30, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    [Wallygongnativecanturkeypuss]?
    ( Flies backwards in the rain to keep the dust out of its eyes0

  35. leoNard says: 13
    January 30, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    A Spoonful Of Sugar Sing Along
    …got to remember I was taught from NUNS[praught]…nose candy is tweeted :twisted: :evil:

    :cry: SPOONFUL(Cream cover) by KING COOL
    …needle and the spoon/sooner than nose’tweetSpoon fed/ tune dead*^*
    Ohio Express – Yummy Yummy Yummy 2008…

    NEIL YOUNG – Needle and the Damage Done – Johnny Cash Show (with intro) – 1971

    :???: I take a grade of “F”…I fake an “A” made :???:

  36. 2utoday says: 12
    January 30, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    :mrgreen: The only spoonerism I can think of is when you have messed up a project really bad you would say, “This is one mell of a hess!” (This is one hell of a mess!). There was also a TV broadcast in the UK when the announcer saw the Queen of England entering the auditorium he said, “And here comes the Queen walking down the isle picking her seat.”

  37. spelcheck says: 11
    January 30, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    Hi Marina,
    Sorry for not doing my homework lately.I’ve been [ flat out ]

    Cunny funt
    Fart smella

    ( Golf is just flog spelt backwards.)

  38. Evan Owen says: 10
    January 30, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Hmm…Rev. Spooner was quoted as saying “a well-boiled icicle” instead of “a well-oiled bicycle.” :roll:

  40. seesixcm6 says: 8
    January 30, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Dear Marina,
    Nearly everyone makes spoonerisms.:
    “It just shows to go you.” (It just goes to show you.)
    “Hain and rail, gleet and sales.” (Rain and hail, sleet and gales.)
    “Cuss and kiddle.” (Kiss and cuddle.) :grin:
    I just got back from my trip to Riverside and found that driving through rain reduces my gasoline mileage. I drove five hours in dense rain and only got 29.9 miles per gallon, instead of about 34.
    Because of my trip, I didn’t enter the contest to win a date with you. Maybe it’s just as well, since I would eat huge quantities of food while you probably eat very little. I tend to be quiet and reserved, while you likely are loud and outgoing. You probably make more money that I do, too. :mrgreen:
    I must continue to unpack from my trip, so I hope you enjoy a great and wonderful date!
    Seesixcm6

  41. pedanticKarl says: 7
    January 30, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    Instead of saying a cunning stunt,
    you would say a stunning … Now what?!
    Marina’s sister just interrupted me again.
    All I was going to say is, a stunning cutie. :mrgreen:
    Spoonerism Fail #2 :lol:

  42. pedanticKarl says: 6
    January 30, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    What is the difference between a
    high school women’s track team
    and a bunch of midgets?

    One is a bunch of cunning runts
    while the other is a running bunch of… What, now!?
    Marina’s sister just interrupted me.
    All I was going to say is, a running bunch of chicks. :mrgreen:
    Spoonerism Fail. :lol:

  43. Capman911 says: 5
    January 30, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    Why do you keep changing the title on the YT channel? :lol:

  44. hotforwords says: 4
    January 30, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    RT Spoonerism: Spoonerisms are funny!  But where does the name for them come from?
    http://www.hotforwords.com/2010/01/30/sp...

  46. leoNard says: 2
    January 30, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    interesting :grin: @AngiePontani left my cucumber sponge from gin bath act in the car last night. It’s frozen solid http://twitpic.com/10k3lc

  47. Capman911 says: 1
    January 30, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    The sale of two Titties. Hmmm How much? :grin:

    flicks and teas,

  48. Chemikal says: 0
    January 30, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    watching!! :-)
    Oh man, shaking a tit, LOL!
    That’s even funnier than taking a shi…!
    I love spoonerisms! :D

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