Pun

From LitWiki
Revision as of 18:45, 11 October 2006 by Mmisinco1230 (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Pun

An expression that achieves emphasis or humor by contriving an ambiguity, two distinct meanings being suggested either by the same word (polysemy) or by two similar-sounding words (homophone) (Baldick 209).

In the terminology of rhetoric, punning is regarded as a figure of speech and known as paranomasia (Baldick 209).

For further reading, see also double entendre and/or equivoque.


Works Cited

  • Baldick, Chris. Concise Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford University Press, 2004.