misnomer
wrong or inaccurate name
Roots
- mis-: wrong, bad, or mistaken
- nom / nomen: name
Other words with the nom / nomen root
- nominal: in name only or very small
- nominate: to name someone for a role or honor
- nomination: act of naming someone for a role or honor
Mis- gives wrong and nomer gives name. A misnomer is a name that points the mind in the wrong direction.
Calling the tiny room a hall was a misnomer; it barely fit six chairs.
Misnomer is useful because names teach before definitions do. If the name is wrong, the learner starts with the wrong picture. A misnomer is that bad label caught in the act.