Misnomer
A misnomer is an incorrect or misleading name for a thing. They are often idiomatic.
Examples Anti-Semitism is prejudice against Jews, not all Semites. Arabic numerals originated in India, not in the Arab world. Asteroids are small planets, not small stars as their name suggests. Chinese checkers is not Chinese (or even Asian) in origin. Columbus Circle in New York is square, not circular. Comic books are illustrated stories of any genre or tone, not necessarily funny. Doves are aggressive birds, yet they symbolize peace. Dry cleaning often uses fluid such as naphtha, making clothes wet.The fundamental theorem of algebra is really a theorem of analysis, not of algebra. Koala bears are herbivorous marsupials, unrelated to the carnivorous bear family. The "lead" in modern pencils is made of graphite and clay, not lead.The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is not a liberal party. Peanuts are legumes, not nuts.
Compare withmalapropism
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