noun
folk etymology; popular but unfounded etymology
A linguistic term for a widely believed but historically incorrect explanation of a word's origin. Often contrasted with scholarly etymology. Cross-referenced with 民間語源, a near-synonym.
See also: 民間語源
「まな板」の語源を「真魚の板」とするのは語源俗解の一例だ。
Explaining the origin of まな板 as 'true-fish board' is an example of folk etymology.
Very close in meaning; 民間語源 emphasizes the 'folk' or 'popular' aspect, while 語源俗解 highlights the 'vulgar' or 'unscholarly' interpretation. Both refer to unscientific etymologies.
Compound of 語源 (word origin) and 俗解 (popular interpretation). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in Japanese linguistics to describe folk etymologies.