Paraprosdokians??

Huh? What is that? A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase (or longer discourse)  doesn’t match the beginning words; it is unexpected, a surprise.  It is often used for dramatic effect, and of course, comedians and satirists love using them. 

Paraprosdokian comes from the Greek  meaning “beyond expectation.” The word first occurs in Greek rhetorical writers of the 1st century BCE and the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, with the meaning “contrary to expectation” or “unexpectedly.” Canadian linguist and etymology author William Gordon Casselman says that, while the word is now in wide circulation, it is not a term of classical Greek or Latin rhetoric, but a late 20th-century neologism; it does not yet appear in the Oxford English Dictionary.  However, the word appeared in print as early as 1891 in a humorous article. 

Paraprosdokians are best illustrated by example:

War does not determine who is right—only who is left. – Bertrand Russell

On the other hand, you have different fingers. – Comedian Steven Wright

I sleep eight hours a day and at least ten at night. – Bill Hicks

On his feet he wore … blisters. – Aristotle

If I could just say a few words … I’d be a better public speaker. – Homer Simpson

Take my wife—please! – Comedian Henny Youngman

If I am reading this graph correctly—I’d be very surprised. – Stephen Colbert

I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it. – Groucho Marx

There are three kinds of people in the world – those who can count, and those who can’t. –Unknown

I have the heart of a small boy – in a glass jar on my desk. – Stephen King

The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education. – Einstein

Want to try making one up yourself? If you do, write one in the comments. 

 

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