Folk etymology

/fˈəʊk ˌɛtɪmˈɒlədʒi/

/fˈoʊk ˌɛɾɪmˈɑːlədʒi/

Folk etymology

the process by which the form or meaning of a word is modified or reinterpreted based on the similarity or familiarity of its components to other words or familiar patterns, often resulting in a new, popular, but etymologically incorrect explanation

Examples

1. This is what we call a folk etymology.

2. As Smithsonian magazine explains, this idea can be traced back to a folk etymology that has roots going way, way back.