Nearly half of Brits admit to using misheard sayings incorrectly, according to new research.

Exactly 46% say they trip up when it comes to using ‘eggcorns’ – misheard sayings’ official name – with two-fifths (40%) mishearing them for years.

And one in 10 (10%) admit they have been doing so for their entire lives, with one in four finding it irritating or annoying when others do so.

Writer, broadcaster and famous wordsmith Gyles Brandreth has now teamed up with Specsavers – which commissioned the research – to correct the nation’s mishearing of well-known sayings.

Launching the ‘Misheard Manifesto’, Specsavers vows to make 2024 the year misheard sayings come to an end.

(Image: Specsavers)

Together with Brandreth, it’s calling on the nation to finally banish ‘wriggle room’, ‘escape goat’, ‘damp squid’, ‘nip in the butt’, and other incorrect phrases.

Brandreth, who has revealed he has hearing loss and has been missing clarity and high frequency notes, said: “These misheard sayings have plagued our nation’s conversations for too many years.  Clear hearing is the cornerstone of clear conversations.

“So, if you’ve ever heard these treasured sayings as ‘escape goat’ when it’s ‘scapegoat’, or dare I say it ‘nip it in the butt’ when it’s ‘nip it in the bud’, consider getting a hearing check.”

Part of the problem is a culture of silence around hearing difficulties and the misused words and phrases: over half (52%) said they wouldn’t want to risk embarrassing or offending someone by pointing out when they’ve got it wrong, and another two-fifths (41%) are too polite to correct them. When mishearers are corrected, over a quarter (26%) are surprised and one in 10 (15%) shocked.

More than half of those surveyed (52%) put their misuse of common words and sayings down to hearing difficulties, yet only 41% had gone for a hearing check in the past five years.

Research suggests that more than five million people in the UK are actively ignoring a hearing issue, just struggling through with unclear or reduced hearing.

People often wait 10 years before addressing changes in their hearing, despite the help readily available on high streets across the country. This can result in a reduced quality of life, difficulty communicating and feelings of isolation.  

Specsavers’ Martina McNulty added: “18 million adults in the UK have hearing loss and many more don’t realise that they are not hearing things as clearly as they used to. The earlier we recognise this and the sooner we act, the more we can minimise any long-term damage. If there is any hearing loss, we can help you find the hearing technology that suits your needs and lifestyle.” 

Commenting on the findings, TV’s Dr Zoe Williams said: “Everyone’s hearing changes over time but you shouldn’t have to settle for ‘OK’ hearing. If you’re mishearing things or ‘just getting the gist’ during conversation, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. Get a free hearing check on the high street to find out what support can put you on track to hearing clearly again.”

Discover The Misheard Manifesto and watch the film at: ////www.specsavers.co.uk/misheard-manifesto