Word of the day: paraprosdokian

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected and frequently humorous. Winston Churchill was keen on the concept.

A few examples are:

1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

2. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

3. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

4. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

5. War does not determine who is right – only who is left.

Further information and examples here.


 




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