• Question [1] What are ‘Eggcorns’?
• Question [2] Why are they important to Army lawyers?
The answers can be found in the Department of the Army Pamphlet 27-50-427, December 2008, page 66, where Major Ann B. Ching explains –
• Answer [1] “In linguistics, an eggcorn is an idiosyncratic substitution of a word or phrase for a word or words that sound similar or identical in the speaker’s dialect. The new phrase introduces a meaning that is different from the original, but plausible in the same context.” (Example, see: note [a], section 2, below)
• Answer [2] “An axiom of military strategy is that you must know your enemy to succeed in battle. The same holds true for conquering the English language – you must identify and understand these rogue elements to avoid becoming their victim.”
Read Major Ching’s article, and – “By this article’s conclusion, you will be equipped to circumvent these pitfalls and avoid appearing more troglodyte than erudite.” For All “Intensive” Purposes: A Primer on Malapropisms, Eggcorns, and Other Rogue Elements of the English Language (scroll to page 70 in the .pdf)
Section 2
Note [a]
Eggcorn example(s):
[Interior shot, local restaurant, day.]
Diner One: “Is that all you’re ordering for lunch? This new diet must really curve your appetite.”
Diner Two: “I certainly hope so—it’s costing me a nominal egg!”
Diner One: “Well, you’d better eat more at the office holiday party, or you’ll be a social leopard, for sure”. (see: note [b], subsection 1, below)
Subsection 1
Note [b] For the avoidance of doubt, Eggcorns are quite distinct from, separate to, and should not be confused with Malapropisms, such as “The answer is very complicating.”
Addendum Further research : The Eggcorn Database (There are now 630 eggcorns in the database.)