A paraprosdokian (from Greek,
meaning "beyond" and "expectation") is a figure of speech
in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in
a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first
part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes
producing an anticlimax. For this reason, it is extremely popular among
comedians and satirists.
Some
paraprosdokians not only change the meaning of an early phrase, but also play
on the double meaning of a particular word, creating a syllepsis.
Don’t pay any
attention to the critics. Don’t even ignore them. - Samuel Goldwyn
Don’t take the bull by the horns, take him by the tail; then you can let go
when you want to. - Josh Billings
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't
get sucked into jet engines. - John
Benfield
Eat, drink and be merry, for
tomorrow ye diet. - Lewis C. Henry
Errors have been made. Others will be blamed. - Unknown
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some do not have film. - Unknown
For every
complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong. - Samuel Goldwyn
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get. - Unknown
Forgive your
enemies - if you can’t get back at them any other way. - Franklin P. Jones
Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. - George Burns
Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now. - Unknown
Honesty
is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people. Warren Buffet
I can hear music coming out of my printer. I think the paper’s jammin’
again. - Unknown
I do not burn bridges. I just loosen
the bolts a little, every day. - Unknown
I don’t hold grudges. I hold
memories that keep me better prepared for our next encounter. - Unknown
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