solecism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a grammatical error or nonstandard construction in speech or writing

   The editor marked the misplaced pronoun as a solecism.

2. 2
   noun

   a breach of etiquette, tact, or accepted social behavior

   Wearing muddy boots into the formal reception was an embarrassing solecism.

Through French and Latin from Greek soloikismos, 'incorrect speech,' based on soloikos. Ancient Athenians associated that term with the speech of Soloi, a colony in Cilicia, which they regarded as faulty Attic Greek. The linguistic error later became a metaphor for a mistake in manners or conduct.

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