What's the word? Not reappropriate.... Not subsume....?

Question

I'm looking for the word that describes intentionally taking something like a holiday or a proverb and intentionally making it mean something different (though possibly without admitting that you've intentionally done so.

Update:

That's it. Co-opt was the word I was looking for. Thanks.

? · Accepted Answer

Is it co-opt?

Verb
to co-opt (third-person singular simple present co-opts, present participle co-opting, simple past and past participle co-opted)

1.To elect as a fellow member of a group, such as a committee.
2.To commandeer, appropriate or take over.
3.To absorb or assimilate into an established group.

Barbara · Answer

To misappropriate is to apply to one's own use or to the wrong use.

What's the word? Not reappropriate.... Not subsume....?

2 Answers