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.
More than ever
before, people are suffering from back problems, back taxes, back rent, back
auto payments. - Robert Orben
Most of the arguments to which I
am party fall somewhat short of being impressive, owing to the fact that
neither I nor my opponent knows what we are talking about. - Rodney
Dangerfield
My doctor gave me six months to
live, but when I couldn’t pay the bill he gave me six months more. - Walter Matthau
My Grandfather Is Eighty And Still Doesn't Need Glasses. He Drinks
Straight Out Of The Bottle. - Unknown
My idea of
housework is to sweep the room with a glance. - Unknown
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder." - Unknown
My mother always told me I
wouldn't amount to anything because I procrastinate. I said 'Just wait.' - Judy Tenuta
My opinions may
have changed, but not the fact that I'm right. - Ashleigh Brilliant
My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too. - Rodney Dangerfield
My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met! - Rodney Dangerfield
My wife is always trying to get
rid of me. The other day she told me to put the garbage out. I said to her I
already did. She told me to go and keep an eye on it. - Rodney Dangerfield
My wife says I
never listen to her. At least I think that's what she said. - Unknown
Never criticize
a man until you’ve run a mile in his shoes. That way, if he doesn’t like what
you have to say, it’ll be OK because you’ll be a mile away and you’ll have his
shoes. - Robin Evans
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