A malapropism is a language mistake that occurs when a person uses a word that sounds similar to the intended word but has a completely different meaning. This often leads to humorous or nonsensical statements. The term comes from the character Mrs. Malaprop in the 18th-century play "The Rivals" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who frequently misused words. Malapropisms can happen in everyday conversation and writing, often resulting from confusion or a lack of understanding of the correct term. They highlight the importance of vocabulary and can serve as a source of amusement in both spoken and written language.