"a ludicrous misuse of a big word," 1823, from the name of the theatrical character Mrs. Malaprop, who was noted for her blunders in the use of words (see malapropism). As an adjective, "out of place, inapt," by 1840. Related: Malapropian.
Malaga
Malagasy
malaise
malamute
malapert
malaprop
malapropism
malapropos
malaria
malarial
malarkey