The present article is dedicated to the lexemes formed through the popular etymology on the basis of which we make the differentiation between this phenomenon and paronymic attraction. Quasi-identity and semantic difference of paronyms with these lexemes is determined by binary structure and functional peculiarities. The words formed through paronymic attraction and popular etymologies often undergo similar diachronic changes but it is impossible to place them into one prism. Paronymic attraction is far wider a concept; it covers different permutations of phonemes. It is revealed in synchrony and diachrony, everyday speech and literature. On the other hand, popular etymology belongs to a narrower field. It can be regarded as one of the revelations of paronyms.