What word describes the mishearing of something said or sung?

There isn't one single word that perfectly captures the mishearing of something said or sung. However, several terms come close depending on the context:

* Mishearing: This is the most straightforward and general term, simply meaning to hear something incorrectly.

* Auditory hallucination: This is a more serious term referring to hearing things that aren't actually there, which is usually associated with mental health conditions.

* Earworm: This refers to a song or phrase that gets stuck in your head, often because you misheard it and keep repeating it incorrectly.

* mondegreen: This is the specific term for mishearing lyrics in songs, often leading to humorous or nonsensical interpretations.

* Malapropism: This refers to the incorrect use of a word, often substituting it for a similar-sounding word. While not specifically about mishearing, it can lead to similar comical effects.

* Spoonerism: This is the accidental transposition of sounds or letters in a phrase, often resulting in humorous or nonsensical expressions. Like a malapropism, it's not directly about mishearing but can sound like it.

The best word to use will depend on the specific situation and the level of seriousness involved. For example, "mishearing" is appropriate for a simple mistake, while "mondegreen" is more specific to misheard lyrics.