Some Pun Fun

      A pun is defined by Webster's dictionary as:  "the humorous use of a word or words, formed or sounded alike but have different meanings, a play on words."

     In early 18th century England a common practice when speaking was to answer in a single syllable, made from a larger word. People did it for fun. The word 'pundigrion' was coined to describe this kind of word-play. It's believed that this was the origin of our word 'pun'.  Paronomasia is the act or practice of punning. 

Below are some of the most common variations on a pun, with some examples.
Daffynitions - words that sound like groups of other words. Here are a few: 
     Oboe: An English tramp.
     Pasteurize: Too far to see.
Tom Swifties - Tom Swift was a fictional character in children's books by the author E. L. Stratemeyer in the early 1900's. These stories depicted Tom as a young genius, whose inventions took him to places all around the world. In these books, the author always avoided using the word 'said' whenever Tom spoke. Tom asserted, averred, chortled, declared, expostulated, grimaced, grinned... or if he ever actually 'said' something, he did it colourfully, as in 'Tom said, laughingly'. Eventually, someone decided to satirize this form of writing by using punning adverbs, and the Tom Swifty was invented!  An example: "Take the prisoner downstairs," Tom said condescendingly." The adverb 'condescendingly' makes a double pun on the related words 'con' (prisoner) and 'descending' (downstairs). 
Here are some more:   "Let's go to McDonald's," said Tom archly.  "I know who turned off the lights," Tom hinted darkly.
Spoonerisms - Named after the Reverend W.A. Spooner (1844-1930), an Anglican clergyman, a 'spoonerism' is an unintential interchange of sounds in two or more words, with a humourous result. Here are examples:  "I have a half-formed wish in my mind." becomes "I have a half-warmed fish in my mind."    "A troop of boy scouts" becomes "A scoop of boy trouts."
     Apparently Spooner was a nervous man who unintentionally mixed up words. Now this type of mixed up phrase has become a type of pun, named in his honour. 
Sign of the Times - This is a more modern type of pun, and you've probably seen them before. They explain themselves.  Here are some examples:  In a butcher shop window: "Never a bum steer."  On a diaper service truck: "Rock a dry baby."  At a lumberyard: "Come see, come saw."  On a plumber's truck: "A flush beats a full house."
Definitions - as puns are clever transpositions of real words.  Some examples:
     Archeologist: A man whose career lies in ruins.
     Egotist: One who is me-deep in conversation.
     Middle Age: When actions creak louder than words.
Palindromes - words or phrases which read the same backwards as forwards.  (The letters in same order, forwards or backwards.)  Example:  'A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!'
There are also the first words ever spoken:   'Madam, I'm Adam';  'Senile Felines'
The Working Word - needs no explanation!
     I used to be a ballet dancer, but found it too-too difficult.
     I used to be a carpenter, but then I got bored.
     I used to work for H&R Block, but it was just too taxing.
     I used to be a tennis instructor, but it just wasn't my racket.

by Alysha, from English School South

Become a Fan of Newby Realty on Facebook	Newby Realty - Manufactured Home Sales
Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.