‘Eggcorn’ is a linguistics term for a new word or phrase that is slightly different to an older one- substituting words that sound smilar- yet still makes sense and has a similar meaning to the older term, for example:

• eggcorn, (acorn)
• mute point (moot),
• free rein (reign - I think reign is older version?),
• towing the line (toe)

Sometimes the eggcorns make more sense to modern speakers than the older term and it may eventually usurp them entirely. I don’t think many peple know what a ‘moot’ is anymore. If ‘mute’ makes more sense to more people it’s likely to grow in popularity.

I don’t know why linguists chose ‘eggcorn’ as the eponym; I’m sure I’ve never actually heard anyone say “eggcorn” to mean “acorn” - apart from me since I learnt about this phenomenon.

eggcorn