homonymphobia

homonymphobia

English

Etymology

homonym +‎ -phobia

Noun

homonymphobia (uncountable)

1. Alternative form of homonymophobia (“fear or aversion to the use of homonyms”)
   • 2007, Carter Nipper, "Homonymphobia", in Forward Motion for Writers
   • 2010, Roy Peter Clark, The Glamour of Grammar:

     So homonymphobia should extend to experienced writers using sophisticated language. I remember the day I used the word discrete (distinct) when I meant discreet (prudent).

   • 2010 August 6, Monica Welch, “Sounds easy enough”, in Word Nymph‎:

     "There," "their" and "they're" are homonyms. They sound exactly the same. It's no wonder people who are not visual learners might be homonymphobic.

   • 2012, John Hicks, Pizzles in Paradise:

     Since I am now a fully paid up member of the club, good manners behove me to desist from my Kiwi homonym phobia and so I wander around repeating to myself: ‘sheared, shared; cheery, cherry; steer, stair; Elliot, Alliot; Beard, Baird.’ My life would be easier if only I could cease spelling words in my head. ‘Clarence, Clarance.’

   • 2014 February 26, Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh, “Homonyms and same-sex marriage (in Letters)”, in The Irish Times‎:

     She writes: "Gay being homonymous with happy and carefree, who could not but wish for a gay marriage?" Surely the last thing we need is to risk raising the spectre of homonym-phobia in this debate?