[OP]
Member
There ought to be a term for...
intentionally assuming an alternate meaning, other than the one intended, for a word or phrase.
Examples:
LOML: Do you mind? [helping me with _____]
Me: Not very well.
Co-worker with handful of 12" rulers: Do you need a ruler?
Me: Usually. I'm pretty unruly.
Does anyone know of a literary term for this?
I know "Malapropism" is choosing an incorrect word that sounds similar.
I know "Alliteration" is using the same consonant sound repeatedly.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
"Live like no one else, so later, you can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE!"
- Dave Ramsey
Contributor
We already have "Spoonerisms" ...so I suggest " Forkism". There is a bit of word play on a current lawn mower commercial. Lovers facing each other in rain, woman to man: "it's not how fast you mow,it's how well you mow fast".
"Mow" and "mowing" are old slang for sex.
Contributor
Wiseguy...
Moderator
The correct term is 'being pungnatious'
Contributor
Subtle and hard to see ....but a pun review of the tape "the word play is good!"Originally Posted by Prashun Patel
Contributor
I think the term you are looking for is irony. Definition: "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect." or " a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result."
Contributor
Double entendre.
Chuck Taylor
Member
Homophonic puns.
Contributor
Depending on how it affects your mood or the conversation, it is either being cute or being a jerk.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
I'll go with annoying.
I was watching some reruns of MASH the other day and I recalled why Alan Alda irritates me so much.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
[OP]
Member
M*A*S*H is my all-time favorite show. Now I think I know why.I was watching some reruns of MASH the other day and I recalled why Alan Alda irritates me so much
"Live like no one else, so later, you can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE!"
- Dave Ramsey
Moderator
[meaningless response alert]: I think I'm the only person on the planet who never got MASH. Never got Cheers either. I think I'm from Mars.
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