Word of the Day: Paraprosdokian

[debodun]

Paraprosdokian (noun) - derives from the Greek words "παρά", meaning "against" and "προσδοκία", meaning "expectation". It is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reinterpret the first part.

Examples:

 

[Aunt Marg]

The difference between stupidity and genius, is that genius has its limits.

 

[RubyK]

When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them. –Rodney Dangerfield

 

[RubyK]

I saw a bank that said “24 Hour Banking” but I don't have that much time. –Stephen Wright

 

[Tommy]

How Long is a Chinese merchant

 

[Pappy]

When I came to a fork in the road, I took it....

 

[RubyK]

Evening news is where they begin with “Good evening” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.